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.

Host Jaclyn Pederson speaks with Dr. Lisa Bienstock, a pediatric dentist and event chair for Feeding Matters' upcoming Feed the Cause signature event and fundraiser. They discuss the importance of positive dental experiences for children, especially those with feeding differences. Dr. Bienstock shares her journey into pediatric dentistry, emphasizing the need for early dental visits and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

In this episode, guest Talia Laughter has a heartfelt conversation about her family's journey with feeding challenges, particularly focusing on her daughter who was born with Down syndrome. Talia recounts the struggles they faced, including hospitalizations, feeding therapy, and the importance of advocacy and community support.

Guest Dr. Amy Delaney shares insights on texture analysis and the development of a texture framework to standardize feeding assessment practices. Dr. Delaney also discusses the importance of research in understanding feeding development, the need for normative data in the field, and the significance of guidelines for caregivers and pediatricians.

Dr. Jeanne Marshall, a speech pathologist and researcher specializing in pediatric feeding disorders, discusses her journey into the field, her work at the Tucker Box Feeding Research Lab, and the various research projects aimed at improving preventative care and diagnostics in pediatric feeding disorders. The discussion also highlights the importance of family-centered research, the challenges of implementing research findings into practice, and the need for clearer guidelines in the field.