Feeding and Mealtime Support
Mealtimes should be a positive and enjoyable part of family life, but for many children they can be stressful, worrying, or overwhelming. Speech pathologists play an important role in supporting children to learn how to eat and drink safely, comfortably, and with confidence.
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​At Fremantle Speech Pathology Services, we can assess your child’s feeding and swallowing skills to understand the cause of mealtime challenges. We then work with you to build your child’s confidence and ability to eat and drink safely, from exploring new foods and textures to developing safe chewing and swallowing skills, and creating positive, stress-free mealtimes at home.
​When should I seek help for my child’s feeding?
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It’s a good idea to seek support if your child:
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Gags, coughs, chokes, or vomits during meals
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Avoids many foods or eats only a very small range
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Becomes very distressed at mealtimes
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Has difficulty chewing or swallowing
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Takes a long time to finish meals
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Has ongoing drooling or difficulty managing saliva
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Has poor weight gain or growth related to eating
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Has feeding difficulties linked to developmental delay, autism, prematurity, or medical conditions
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If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to contact us to discuss your concerns. Early support can prevent small difficulties from becoming bigger challenges.
We can assist with:
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Difficulties transitioning to solid foods
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Learning to chew and swallow food or drink safely
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Saliva control and management
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“Picky” or selective eating, including difficulties with certain textures, tastes, or colours​​​
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Speech pathologists can help children learn to eat and drink safely and comfortably. Our team supports children and their families to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.
Our goal is to build positive mealtime experiences and support each child to develop safe and confident feeding skills.
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Will therapy involve forcing my child to eat?
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No. We use a gentle, supportive, and child-led approach. Therapy focuses on building comfort, confidence, and skills around food, never pressure or force.
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Do I need a referral?
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No referral is required to see a speech pathologist for feeding support. You can contact us directly to book an assessment.
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