Marlee Croucher (APD)

Marlee is a non-diet dietitian who works alongside children, teens, and their families to build trusting relationships with food and body. She offers inclusive, neuro-affirming care with a focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals - including those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences - through a lens of respect, safety, and autonomy.

With deep experience in feeding and eating differences, Marlee specialises in working with children who experience ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), sensory-based eating differences, and mealtime challenges that may arise.

 Her approach is weight-neutral, trauma-informed, and rooted in understanding that eating is more than just nutrition - it’s about connection, regulation, and choice.

Marlee values collaboration with families, caregivers, and other support professionals, recognising that each person brings valuable insight to the table. She avoids rigid goals or one-size-fits-all advice, instead supporting each client to explore sustainable, individualised strategies that honour their lived experience.

Marlee is passionate about dismantling diet culture, advocating for neurodiversity, and creating accessible, shame-free spaces where all bodies and brains are welcomed.

Outside of clinical work, Marlee enjoys listening to music of varied genres, dancing, walks in nature, coffee and crafts.

NEW PAEDIATRIC CLIENT PREPARATION 

Initial assessments for new clients aged 2 - 17 years are to be attended by parents and carers only. These sessions can be attended face to face or via telehealth (no phone calls), with the client encouraged to attend subsequent appointments.

Prior to an initial assessment, parents, carers or clients may like to complete a Preferred & Sometimes Food List for Marlee and/or a 3-Day Food Diary. These online forms will feature in your appointment confirmation email and can be discussed with (or resent) by reception on (03) 9087 8379.

Please note, these forms are optional and an opportunity for you to provide information with Marlee you may like her to know prior to working with you.

Qualifications: 

Professional development:

• Bachelor of Applied Science/Master of Dietetic Practice
• Certificate III & IV in Fitness

• Inclusive approaches to supporting neurodivergent children with feeding difficulties, RDs for Neurodiversity
• Eating Disorder Training for Dietitians, The Mindful Dietitian
• Trauma-Informed Dietetic Care, The Mindful Dietitian
• Neurodiversity Affirming Dietetic Care, The Mindful Dietitian
• The SOS Approach to Feeding Training Course, Toomey & Associates, Inc.
• The Low FODMAP Diet for IBS, Monash University

• Working with children & families 
• Feeding differences for neurodivergent people 
• ARFID
• Relationship with food & body 
• Disordered eating
• Autism
• ADHD
• Pathological Demand Avoidance (Pervasive Drive for Autonomy)
• Neuro-affirming feeding therapy