The journey children make from tube feeding to oral feeding is personal for each child and family. There is a sequence of predictable plateaus that children climb as they move toward orally eating. By better understanding this sequence, parents and children can maximize the development, learning, enjoyment and confidence at each plateau. The amount of time it takes for a child to progress from one plateau to another is unique for each child and family. Children need time and practice to build confidence at each level before moving to the next level. There are however, some predictable plateaus that children reach in this transition. Understanding the transitional plateaus and the reasons children spend time on them can help professionals to better support parents and children in this process. The author explains each of the plateaus and then discusses the reasons for introducing foods cautiously and safely to special needs children. She then offers suggestions for building a relationship of trust with a tube fed child, and creative techniques for introducing new foods. Techniques are provided to help parents offer enjoyable meal time experiences, master the skills of mealtimes, such as successes with spoons, knives, and forks, and straws. Variation is developed as the child learns to handle foods of different texture, and quantity. Parents are encouraged to help the child grow while taking the time necessary to develop trust, confidence, and skills for oral eating.