About Us
Feeding Kids Sydney is a warm, inclusive service that welcomes all families and is proudly neurodiversity-affirming. Our support is grounded in evidence-based practice, with a respectful, strengths-based approach that meets each child where they’re at.
Debbie Alvarez
Debbie is a speech pathologist with over 20 years experience in supporting babies and children with feeding difficulties. She has worked in acute hospital settings including St George Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital. Debbie started her private practice work in 2009 which has evolved into the Feeding Kids Sydney we know today. She has been working with children and their families to support their feeding journey ever since.
Debbie uses responsive feeding techniques in her practice and has, together with her colleague Valerie Gent, developed the Responsive Feeding House Model under their joint business ‘Feeding Therapy Australia’. She currently mentors therapists around Australia and has presented both in Australia and internationally.
Debbie is passionate about empowering families to feel confident to make changes at home and in the community that lead to their feeding goals.
Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and loves to travel. She has lots of favourite meals including curries and seafood.
Alyssa Ward
Alyssa is a proud Wiradjuri woman and speech pathologist with 12 years experience in supporting children and their families. She graduated from the University of Sydney and also holds a Masters Degree in Primary Education (Teaching) from Charles Sturt University.
She has worked in a range of settings including in community, schools, preschools and now private practice. Alyssa regularly attends professional development and training. Her knowledge and experience allows her to provide individualised, neurodiversity-affirming and evidence based supports so families can reach their full potential, and be who they are at the table.
Alyssa is a mum of two young children with wildly different personalities. She knows the complexities and joys of parenthood, and brings this to her practice. It was difficulties within her own children’s feeding, that led to a fiery passion in working with the whole family using a Responsive Feeding approach.
Alyssa always strives to be compassionate, non-judgemental and realistic in her supports, as she knows what life is like with busy children at home!
Away from work she loves to spend time with her family at the beach and her favourite meal is her mums lasagne.
Kylie Glass
When you visit our clinic in Gymea, or call to ask a question, chances are you are welcomed by Kylie, our wonderful admin assistant.
Kylie is an unbelievable asset to our team, and we appreciate everything she does to make sure the day runs smoothly, and that our little friends are able to enjoy their time in the kitchen.
Kylie is warm, generous with her time and a fabulous problem solver.