Fussy Eating
Does your child eat only a handful of foods? Do mealtimes feel stressful, exhausting, or like a daily battle? You're not alone — fussy eating is one of the most common concerns parents bring to us, and it can range from mild pickiness to more complex feeding difficulties that significantly affect family life and a child's nutrition.
At Eat Chat Play, we provide specialist fussy eating assessments and therapy for children across Berkshire, using evidence-based, play-led approaches that help children gradually expand their diet and develop a healthier relationship with food.
Our fussy eating support is led by Chelsea Ridge, paediatric speech and language therapist and specialist feeding therapist. Chelsea has extensive experience working with children whose eating difficulties range from everyday fussiness to more complex selective eating and sensory-based feeding disorders.
Signs your child may benefit from fussy eating support:
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Eating fewer than 20 foods (or a very restricted range)
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Strong reactions to new foods — gagging, crying, or distress
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Only accepting certain textures, colours or brands
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Refusing whole food groups (e.g. all vegetables or all proteins)
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Mealtimes causing significant stress for the whole family
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Concerns about your child's nutrition, weight or growth
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Eating difficulties linked to sensory sensitivities, autism, or ADHD
Our approach to fussy eating therapy
We use a family-centred, play-based approach to fussy eating therapy. Sessions are tailored to your child's individual needs and may include food exploration activities, desensitisation techniques, mealtime strategies for parents, and gradual food introduction. We always work at your child's pace, without pressure.
Sessions can take place at home, in nursery, or at school across Berkshire — covering Windsor, Ascot, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Reading, Slough, Egham and surrounding areas.
An assessment is required before therapy begins. If your child has already been assessed elsewhere, we can provide follow-up therapy — just bring a copy of the report.
