Feeding Does Matter

2025 Psych Summit Session: Building the Foundation: A Holistic, Interdisciplinary Approach to Infant Feeding presented by Natalie Berriz PhD, BCBA and Melissa Andersen, PhD. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peak episode of Feeding Does Matter, Natalie Berriz and Melissa Andersen discuss the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric feeding, the importance of recognizing f...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Occupational Therapy Supports and Interventions for ARFID presented by Krystin Turner,  OTR/L, DHS, SCEFS and Madelyn Duzyk,  OTR/L, OTD During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peak episode of Feeding Does Matter, Krystin Turner   and Madelyn Duzyk explore how lived experience informs clinical practice, why multidisciplinary collaboration is essential, and how occupationa...

ICYMI: In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Dr. Hayley Estrem provide a deep dive into the histories of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment. From the impact of terminology on family experiences to the critical role of early identification and int...

Our guest this episode, Emnet Assefa, discusses her journey raising a child with multiple medical and feeding complexities. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll, delayed diagnoses, and how the G-tube became a turning point for her family.

In this episode, Garrett Barnes shares his family's journey with his daughter Lucy's challenges with eating. He discusses the emotional toll of navigating feeding tubes, the importance of support from organizations like Feeding Matters, and the transition from tube feeding to oral eating.

Dr. Kathleen Knafl, a pioneering researcher and educator, shares her journey into family-centered research and what she’s learned from listening to families. Along with Hayley and Jaclyn, she talks about why the words we use like “burden” or “impact” can make a big difference, how families often see things more hopefully than doctors expect, why the parents voice matters in shaping care, and what...

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter we talk with David Schnitzler, a father of two children with feeding difficulties. We explore the emotional, medical, and day-to-day realities families face when feeding challenges intersect with food allergies. David shares how each child’s feeding experience is unique, why reducing mealtime pressure can support progress, and how feeding therapy demands pati...

In this episode we explore how grassroots efforts can make a big impact. Feeding Matters Community Council leaders, Emily Adams (Ohio), and Stacy Payne (California) discuss how engaging families, healthcare providers, and local leaders can break down stigma, promote early identification, and create real change, one relationship at a time.

Hosts Jaclyn and Hayley are joined by Praveen Goday, MD and Richard Noel, MD discussing the urgent need for awareness, education, and advocacy in Pediatric Feeding Disorder and ARFID. From lack of education across the medical field to community-driven solutions, this episode is a call to action. Change happens when we get loud together.

Rachel Conrad, M.A. CCC-SLP and Feeding Matters Consortium Chair, shares her personal journey with pediatric feeding disorder, transitioning from a patient to a professional in the field with lived experience with both PFD and ARFID. She discusses the importance of vulnerability in therapy, trauma-informed care, and the need for patient-centered approaches. Rachel emphasizes the vital role parents...

In this episode, pediatrician Ron Serbin, MD shares his expertise on the early identification of pediatric feeding disorders. Dr. Serbin explores the critical role of effective screening as well as barriers; advocacy in early identification, highlighting how diagnostic codes can improve access to care; and the need for educating both pediatricians and families to enhance awareness and understandin...

Jaclyn and Hayley welcome ARFID to PFD awareness month with an engaging conversation with Dr. Jenny Thomas, a leading expert in ARFID, discussing its definition, impact, and the evolution of understanding around it. They address common myths and the differences between picky eating and ARFID. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration between feeding and eating disorder fields and high...

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 mul...

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 highlight...

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...

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...

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 suppor...

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 o...

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 diso...