Feeding Does Matter

2025 Psych Summit Session: Responsive Feeding Therapy for Children with Paediatric Feeding Disorder: Research Insights and Clinical Applications presented by Valerie Gent, BSpPath, MMedRes, PhD candidate and Dr. Jeanne Marshall, BSpPath, PhD During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Valerie Gent and Jeanne Marshall explore the role of responsive feeding therapy in supporting children with pediatric feeding disorders and ARFID. On August 22, the Feeding + Eating Psychology Summit: PFD & ARFID Evidence-based Interventions for Key Developmental Stages explores psychological management strategies for PFD and ARFID across developmental stages. Experts will present evidence-based interventions or concepts tailored to key stages in a child’s development, highlighting how feeding skill development and cognitive maturity influence treatment planning. Through lived experience interviews and a facilitated Q&A, participants will gain deeper insight into how psychological approaches must adapt as feeding abilities and cognitive function evolves over time. Learn More

2025 Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek: Formulation-Driven Treatment Planning for ARFID: A Collaborative, Individualized Framework presented by Amy Talbot, DClinPsy, MSc. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Amy Talbot discusses the need for a formulation-driven approach that respects individual differences and fosters collaboration among various disciplines to provide effective care for individuals and families facing feeding challenges. On August 22, the Feeding + Eating Psychology Summit: PFD & ARFID Evidence-based Interventions for Key Developmental Stages explores psychological management strategies for PFD and ARFID across developmental stages. Experts will present evidence-based interventions or concepts tailored to key stages in a child’s development, highlighting how feeding skill development and cognitive maturity influence treatment planning. Through lived experience interviews and a facilitated Q&A, participants will gain deeper insight into how psychological approaches must adapt as feeding abilities and cognitive function evolves over time. Learn More

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 feeding as a developmental milestone, and how holistic, family-centered care can help prevent feeding disorders. On August 22, the Feeding + Eating Psychology Summit: PFD & ARFID Evidence-based Interventions for Key Developmental Stages explores psychological management strategies for PFD and ARFID across developmental stages. Experts will present evidence-based interventions or concepts tailored to key stages in a child’s development, highlighting how feeding skill development and cognitive maturity influence treatment planning. Through lived experience interviews and a facilitated Q&A, participants will gain deeper insight into how psychological approaches must adapt as feeding abilities and cognitive function evolves over time. Learn More

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 occupational therapists can support families navigating complex feeding challenges. The conversation also touches on ongoing gaps in research, barriers to education, and the importance of family-centered care, key topics that will be further explored at the summit. On August 22, the 2025 Feeding and Eating Psychology Summit: PFD & ARFID Evidence-based Interventions for Key Developmental Stages explores psychological management strategies for PFD and ARFID across developmental stages. Experts will present evidence-based interventions or concepts tailored to key stages in a child’s development, highlighting how feeding skill development and cognitive maturity influence treatment planning. Through lived experience interviews and a facilitated Q&A, participants will gain deeper insight into how psychological approaches must adapt as feeding abilities and cognitive function evolves over time. Learn More

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 intervention, this episode explores how awareness and collaboration across disciplines are key to supporting families facing PFD and ARFID. A thoughtful conversation on the strides made—and the work still needed—in understanding and supporting these complex feeding disorders.

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 it really means to support families.

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 patience and a long-term perspective. 

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 play in supporting their children and encourages them to recognize their efforts as impactful.

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 understanding of feeding issues.

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 highlights future research directions to better support affected individuals and families.

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.