Staff at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital labelled 17-year-old Joshua Waite "the wonder kid" after he was assaulted on May 12.

The family posted a statement on Facebook at the weekend after witnessing the teenager's significant step on the road to recovery.

"The beautiful team in the ICU, the Neuro Surgical Team at RBWH, started bringing Joshy out of the induced coma late Thursday," the family wrote.

"This was a very intense and stressful time for the family with Andy, Rach and Ashley by Joshys (sic) bedside throughout the night with very minimal change with Joshys (sic) status.

"On Friday a number of movement tests were carried out with the first one being the nurse telling Joshy Mum and Dad are here open your eyes ... And he did!!

"Our son is alive and though still sedated was alert! It is very early days yet and he is still at a critical risk but that moment we will never forget!

"We just would like to say thank you all for your love and support ... and the community that have been on this awful rollercoaster ride, enjoy this moment and punch the air cause Joshy the wonder kid is still here to continually bless our lives."

Police said the teenager was assaulted while trying to walk away from an argument that had broken out between a group of men outside the fast food restaurant about 7.45pm.

It will be alleged the victim was kicked in the face before smashing his head on the bitumen. He was rushed from the scene to hospital in a critical condition.

Accused attacker Jake Law-Cobbo, 18, was charged with grievous bodily harm and denied bail when he appeared at Redcliffe Magistrates Court on May 17. He was scheduled for a committal mention on July 5.