In this episode, you’ll sit in on a meeting of the Feeding Matters Research Initiatives Task Force (including Feeding Does Matter hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem) as William Sharp, PhD, reflects on his recent presentation on feeding challenges in children with autism for TEACCH. The group also dives into the current realities of school cafeterias and explores why anorexia-based treatment frameworks have historically been applied to ARFID.

Guests on this episode:

ICYMI: 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.

(This episode originally posted January 14, 2025)

Host Jaclyn Pederson interviews co-host, Hayley Estrem and Feeding Matters’ Person and Family-Centered Feeding Research Consortium Chair, Rachel Conrad. Hayley and Rachel share their experiences from the PCORI Annual Meeting, insights gained from their poster session, and the importance of creating a safe space for patient partners in research.

The Feeding Matters Family-Centered PFD Research Consortium launch was partially funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®) Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award (EACB-31710).

Guests Dr. Pamela Dodrill and Dr. Memorie Gosa discuss the Functional Oral Intake Scale Pediatric (FOIS-P) tool for assessment and tracking of feeding progress in children, the role of telehealth in bridging the gap between hospital and home care, and the importance of mentorship in developing skilled clinicians.

More information on FOIS-P.

Host Jaclyn Pederson and Feeding Matters Senior Program Manager, Heidi Van der Molen discuss the challenges families face when food access is uncertain, especially for those navigating feeding disorders and differences.

They share how the community has come together to help launch a new Food Access Resources page with national, state, and local links to help families find the support they need.

Visit: itsnotpickyeating.org/food-access-resources

This episode features the recent Feeding Alliance Learning Lounge on the PFD & ARFID School Toolkit. Jennifer Eggert, M.S., CCC-SLP, C/NDT, and Dr. Nikhila Raol, MD, MPH, discuss the often-overlooked challenges children with feeding differences face in school settings. They share insights into how the toolkit was developed to empower families, educators, and healthcare professionals with practical strategies and resources; and emphasize the key rights families should understand when advocating for their child’s needs.

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, host Jaclyn Pederson and guest Courtney Bliss, a Pediatric Registered Dietitian, discuss the challenges families with children who have feeding differences face during holiday gatherings. Courtney shares practical strategies for managing food anxiety, communicating needs with family members, and creating a supportive environment for children during these events. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preparation, reflection on past experiences, and the need for open communication with loved ones to ensure a positive mealtime experience.

In this episode hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem talk with Rhonda Anderson, a distinguished nursing leader and healthcare advocate.

They discuss the evolution of care for children with feeding disorders, moving from awareness to action through a lifespan and family-centered approach, the power of listening to families, and how technology and interprofessional collaboration are transforming feeding disorder care.

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, host Jaclyn Pederson speaks with Denise Hoffman, a mother and occupational therapist, about her personal journey with feeding challenges faced by her son, who was born premature and is now 24 years old. They discuss the impact of personal experience on professional practice, supporting a young adult navigating  the complexities of feeding disorders and mental health challenges, and the need for advocacy and self-advocacy.

In this special one-year anniversary episode of Feeding Matters, hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem celebrate one year of impactful conversations centered around patient and family-centered care in the context of feeding differences and disorders. They are joined by leaders from the Family-Centered PFD Research Consortium to discuss the consortium's formation, the importance of lived experiences in research, and the collaborative efforts to prioritize research that truly reflects the needs of families. The episode highlights the challenges faced in healthcare systems, the emotional journey of research prioritization, and the future direction of the consortium as they aim to redefine care practices and ensure that families are at the forefront of research initiatives.