What Is Feeding Therapy?

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At The Soundmill Centre, we provide individualised, one-on-one feeding therapy to support children who experience challenges with eating. Eating is a skill — and for some children, it does not come naturally or easily. Feeding difficulties look different for every child. Some children may be sensitive to certain textures, temperatures, flavours, or colours of food. Others may find it difficult to be in the same space as new foods, gag when trying unfamiliar foods, or rely on a very limited number of “safe foods”.

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Children with feeding difficulties often have a restricted diet, which can impact nutrition, family routines, and mealtime enjoyment. We support families through a comprehensive feeding assessment and, where appropriate, ongoing feeding therapy. Alongside working directly with children, we provide parents with practical strategies and resources to support progress at home in ways that feel achievable and positive.

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What Does Feeding Therapy Look Like?

For young children, feeding therapy is play-based and sensory-informed, involving exploration, interaction, and “getting messy” with food in a way that helps children feel safe and comfortable.

For older children, therapy continues to be engaging and supportive, while also building understanding of:

• Different types of foods

• How food supports growth and health

• Developing confidence around meals

Feeding therapy always moves at the child’s pace and is delivered in a no-pressure environment, where trust and comfort come first.

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Is Feeding Therapy Right for Your Child?

Picky Eating vs Feeding Difficulties

Many children go through phases of picky eating as part of typical development, and this often resolves over time. However, some children experience more persistent feeding difficulties.

• Picky eaters typically have around 30 or more “safe foods” and may try new foods, even if reluctantly.

• Children with feeding difficulties (sometimes called “problem eaters”) often eat fewer than 20 foods, may struggle with the sight or smell of new foods, and can become distressed or lose their appetite when unfamiliar foods are presented.

Both picky eaters and children with feeding difficulties may benefit from feeding therapy.

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You may wish to consider feeding therapy if you answer yes to any of the following:

• Does your child eat only a very small range of foods?

• Is your child anxious or fearful about trying new foods?

• Do mealtimes cause ongoing stress for you or your child?

• Do family routines revolve around what your child will or won’t eat?

• Does your child usually eat a different meal from the rest of the family?

• Have these concerns been present for 12 months or longer?

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Why Choose The Soundmill Centre for Feeding Therapy?

At The Soundmill Centre, we support children with feeding difficulties using a gentle, evidence-based, and family-centred approach. We understand that feeding challenges can affect nutrition, routines, and family wellbeing, and our focus is on building skills in ways that feel safe, achievable, and sustainable.

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Our feeding therapy services:

• Follow best-practice standards for supporting children with feeding difficulties

• Are delivered by trained professionals, including speech pathologists (and, where appropriate, occupational therapists and dietitians)

• Focus on long-term skill development, not quick fixes

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Evidence-Based Feeding Therapy (SOS Approach)

Our therapists are trained in the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding, a well-established, evidence-informed framework used internationally to support children with feeding challenges. The SOS Approach:

• Recognises eating as a developmental skill

• Integrates sensory, oral-motor, behavioural, nutritional, and environmental factors

• Uses play-based, step-by-step exposure to help children feel safe around food

• Is designed to be delivered by appropriately trained professionals, specifically speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and dietitians

This approach ensures feeding therapy addresses the whole child, not just what is on the plate. At The Soundmill Centre, this expertise is embedded within our team and approach.

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What This Means for Your Child and Family

Feeding therapy at The Soundmill Centre may support:

• Improved nutritional intake

• Reduced sensory sensitivities related to food textures, tastes, or temperatures

• Reduced mealtime stress for children and families

• An expanded range of accepted foods

• Increased independence with eating

• Improved communication around food and mealtimes

Progress looks different for every child. Therapy is paced to the child, guided by readiness, and supported with practical strategies for home.

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Still Unsure?

Feeding difficulties are complex, and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about whether feeding therapy is the right next step. Our clinicians bring specialist training and extensive experience supporting children with feeding challenges. We take time to understand the underlying factors contributing to your child’s eating difficulties and work alongside families to develop strategies that fit real life.

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If you’re unsure where to start, we’re always happy to talk things through and help you decide whether feeding therapy may be helpful for your child and family.​