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.