Feeding Does Matter

In this conversation, Jaclyn and Hayley welcome William Sharp PhD, Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. They discuss the provider landscape, the formation of a research initiatives task force, and the importance of family-centered care. They explore the challenges in identifying qualified providers, the gaps in current research, and the need for multidisciplinary approaches to treatment.

This episode explores the intersection of pediatric feeding disorders and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, featuring insights from guest Dr. Nancy Zucker, a clinical psychologist and expert in the field.

In this conversation, hosts Jaclyn and Hayley discuss the various family support programs offered by Feeding Matters, with guest Heidi Van Der Molen, Senior Program Manager for Feeding Matters. They explore Heidi's personal journey with feeding challenges, the Power of Two program, and the importance of community support for families dealing with feeding difficulties. The discussion also highlights the significance of trauma-informed care and the resources available through Feeding Matters to assist families and caregivers in navigating their challenges.

Cheyenne Watts Fagan shares her journey with her daughter, who faced significant feeding struggles after being discharged from the NICU. The discussion covers the transition to feeding tubes, intensive feeding programs, and the impact of community support and mentorship while navigating these challenges.

Guest, Heidi Luhmann shares her family’s journey navigating the challenges of Pediatric Feeding Disorder and Celiac Disease. The discussion emphasizes the importance of caregiver mental health, redefining success in feeding therapy, and the role of community and research in supporting families.

Hosts Jaclyn and Hayley discuss the progress of the Family-Centered PFD Research Consortium and their reflections on the recent consortium meeting during conference week.

In this conversation, guest Heather Goettsch shares her personal journey, detailing the challenges she faced in advocating for her child's needs. She emphasizes the importance of small victories in the journey of feeding therapy and the value of community support through organizations like Feeding Matters. Heather discusses her involvement in the family-centered pediatric feeding disorder research consortium and concludes with reflections on the human aspect of research and the dedication required to drive change in the field.

Hosts, Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem reflect on the 12th Annual International PFD Conference to discuss their key takeaways, favorite moments and what to look forward to in the on-demand conference offering.

More information on the 2025 on-demand conference: https://www.feedingmatters.org/conference/2025-registration/

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, four of the authors (including our hosts) of the consensus paper on the diagnostic overlap and distinction for pediatric feeding disorder and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder discuss their thoughts on the 10 consensus statements, the importance of accurate diagnosis, and the need for collaboration and a common language in the field. 

Guests: Cuyler Romeo and William Sharp

This consensus paper is published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders and is available via open access, made possible by the generous donors of Feeding Matters.

View Consensus Paper

Parent and Feeding Matters consortium member Shanda Cool shares her family's experiences with pediatric feeding disorder, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and tube feeding through the story of her daughter, Mira. She highlights the difficulties they encountered from Mira's birth, including her multiple disabilities and underscores the importance of families feeling acknowledged and supported in their journey, and the critical role that feeding tubes play in ensuring children like Mira receive the nutrition they need.

Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem engage in a deep conversation with Dr. Richard Noel, a prominent figure in pediatric feeding disorder. They explore Richard's journey into the field, the evolution of PFD and ARFID definitions, and the importance of multidisciplinary care. The discussion emphasizes the need for effective communication and common sense in patient care, as well as the significance of recognizing PFD as a disability to improve support for families. The episode concludes with insights into future research opportunities and the ongoing efforts to bridge gaps in understanding and collaboration within the feeding disorders community.

Anka Roberto, a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and EMDR clinician, discusses her expertise in trauma-informed care, focusing on children's medical trauma. She shares her personal experiences as a mother of a child with medical complexities, emphasizing the need to understand how medical procedures affect children's mental health.

In this episode we welcome Christina Van Ditto, Vice Co-Chair of the Feeding Matters Family-Centered Research Consortium. Christina shares her journey as a caregiver to her daughter who is neurodiverse with feeding differences, discussing the challenges and triumphs they have faced. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy, community support, and the need for a shift in how pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are perceived and treated. Christina also highlights the role of the consortium in advancing research and ensuring that family perspectives are included in the conversation around feeding differences.

In this episode, Darlena Birch from the National WIC Association discusses the WIC program, the importance of nutrition education, and the various components of WIC services. She highlights the challenges families face in accessing resources, particularly those with pediatric feeding disorders and food allergies.

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Dr. Hayley Estrem welcome Kelly Randall from Raising Special Kids to discuss the intersection of disability and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). The conversation covers the history of the disability movement, the importance of early intervention, the role of IDEA, and the challenges families face in navigating services as their children transition to adulthood. The episode emphasizes the need for advocacy, awareness of available resources, and the recognition of feeding as a critical developmental domain.

In this Feeding Does Matter conversation, Jaclyn Pederson and co-host Hayley Estrem discuss the importance of family-centered care. They explore how personal experiences can drive research and the significance of defining 'family' in healthcare settings. The conversation emphasizes the core concepts of family-centered care, the challenges faced in pediatric feeding research, and the need for a longitudinal perspective to understand the long-term impacts of feeding disorders on families.

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, hosts Hayley Estrem and Jaclyn Pederson welcome Brandt Perry to discuss his personal journey with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and the complexities of care models. The conversation explores the differences between episodic and continuous care, the importance of medical homes, and insights from the International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference. Brandt shares valuable lessons learned from his experiences, emphasizing the need for effective communication between families and healthcare providers, as well as the ongoing education of providers in the field of PFD.

This conversation delves into the psychosocial aspects of pediatric feeding disorders, particularly focusing on the complexities of feeding challenges faced by children and their caregivers. Dr. William Sharp discusses the diagnostic features of psychosocial dysfunction, the impact on family dynamics, and the importance of involving families in treatment and research. The dialogue also explores the distinctions between ARFID and PFD, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, we explore the feeding skill domain with Cuyler Romeo, an Occupational Therapist and Pediatric Feeding Specialist at Banner-University Medical Center’s NICU, and Director of Strategic Initiatives at Feeding Matters. From understanding feeding development within the family dynamic to practical strategies for supporting children with challenges, this discussion provides valuable tools for improving feeding outcomes.

In this special episode of Feeding Does Matter, Jaclyn speaks with two extraordinary mothers, each navigating the complexities of pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Michelle, mother to 8-year-old Hannah with ARFID, opens up about her journey and her efforts to help her daughter confront her fears on her Instagram page, myARFIDlife, and raise awareness. She discusses the challenges her family faces and the need for greater resources to support children with feeding differences.

Shannon Goldwater, mother of triplets with PFD and founder of Feeding Matters, shares her powerful story of resilience. From the emotional to the physical trials of feeding challenges, Shannon sheds light on the critical need for support and understanding for families facing similar struggles.

Together, Michelle and Shannon advocate for a shift in perception—feeding disorders are not just “picky eating” but complex issues requiring empathy and dedicated care.