The Feeding Difficulties Conceptual Framework provides a structure for multidisciplinary collaboration, supporting individualised, context-sensitive, family-centred, and inclusive care. Early, evidence-based, individualised support can transform feeding into a foundation for better health, development, and child and caregiver wellbeing.
Launched in 2025, the Framework is the first guideline to take into account the diverse experiences of families, which may be shaped by culture, location, and systemic barriers. The Framework is grounded in the outcomes of Dr Asmita Mudholkar’s PhD, which investigated factors associated with feeding difficulties in young children. One of her studies specifically examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of paediatricians, General Practitioners, child health nurses, and early childcare workers in identifying feeding difficulties in infants and young children (0–2 years). At the time, there were no studies exploring the practices of Australian early childhood practitioners in identifying and referring children with feeding difficulties for treatment, which led to the development of this new conceptual framework.
Download
To access these documents, please fill in the optional survey below. This will help us understand who is accessing the documents and allow us to see if practitioners find the resources helpful. You do not need to answer the questions to download the Framework.
Alternatively please feel free to reach out at OTARC@latrobe.edu.au
A Feeding Difficulties in Young Children: A Policy and Practice Framework [619KB]
The Policy and Practice Framework sets out evidence and recommendations from the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. It highlights the impact of feeding difficulties, particularly for Autistic children, introduces a conceptual framework for early, family-centred support, and calls for action in workforce training, clinical guidelines, postnatal supports, and research.
Feeding Difficulties in Young Children A-Policy and Practice Framework
Feeding Difficulties Conceptual Framework: Case Study [966KB]
The Case study shows how professionals can apply the Framework in practice. Using the example of a young child, Milo, it demonstrates how feeding difficulties are shaped by factors including the child, caregiver, systemic, healthcare, and cultural aspects. The case study shows how multidisciplinary, culturally responsive, and family-centred approaches can transform fragmented care into effective, tailored support.
The research: Mudholkar, A., Korostenski, L., Hudry, K., & Lane, A. E. (2025). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of professionals working with young children with feeding difficulties. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 50(3), 319-333. https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391251337790
The team
Dr Asmita Mudholkar
Dr Mudholkar is a senior lecturer and researcher in the occupational therapy program at the La Trobe Rural Health School and a member of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. Dr Mudholkar’s doctoral research investigated the factors associated with the early onset of feeding difficulties in young children and explored practices for their identification and remediation. The findings provided insight into the importance of early identification of feeding difficulties to guide targeted supports.
Dr Kristelle Hudry
Dr Hudry is Associate Professor with the Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University. Dr Hudry is a child development researcher with expertise in autism and related neurodiversity. Dr Hudry leads the Childhood Autism and Parenting Team (CAPTeam; website), a cross-unit group of formally-trained and trainee researchers—in Psychology, Speech Pathology—including members with relevant lived-experience. Together, Dr Hudry and CAPTeam members lead research and collaborate with national and international partners on range of child development and family wellbeing topics broadly focused on the birth to school transition period.
Dr Larissa Korostenski
Dr Korostenski is the Head of Neonatal Services within the Department of Neonatology, John Hunter Children’s Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales. Dr Korostenski is trained as a Neonatologist and Paediatrician.
Professor Alison Lane
Professor Lane is the Director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. Professor Lane is an occupational therapist and internationally recognised for her scholarship regarding sensory processing challenges in children, particularly as they relate to functioning in Autistic people. Professor Lane’s work is grounded in 30 years’ experience in paediatric clinical practice, health service management, research and teaching. Professor Lane Alison is the first in field to identify sensory subtypes in autism. Professor Lane’s studies show that these subtypes relate to distinct neural profiles and patterns of functional distress and indicate that solutions to sensory challenges in daily life should be customised to context and the individual.
Alex Haschek
Alex is the Research Communications and Impact Coordinator at La Trobe university’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. Alex leads efforts in research dissemination, impact planning, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre’s work reaches and influences both academic and public audiences.
