Nutrition and Eating Challenges in Kids with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Course overview

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, often face challenges beyond cognition and behavior. Many also struggle with disordered eating patterns and nutrition-related concerns, including food selectivity, malnutrition, and eating disorders. These issues can impact physical growth, mental health, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. This 2-hour view-on-demand, recorded webinar is designed specifically for occupational therapists and explores how eating behaviors and nutrition challenges show up in children with neurodevelopmental differences. You learn how these concerns affect development and how OTs can play a key role in screening, assessment, and intervention. This course highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary, biopsychosocial approach that includes sensory-based strategies, parent and family support, nutritional education, and collaboration with other professionals. Topics covered include blood sugar imbalances, over-reliance on ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, eating disorders (e.g., ARFID, binge eating), family dynamics around food and mealtimes, gastrointestinal issues, chronic inflammation, malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies, mental health and its link to nutrition, problematic eating behaviors (e.g., food selectivity, inconsistent eating patterns, overeating, undereating), sensory processing challenges related to eating, sleep disturbances, and weight-related concerns. By the end of this webinar, participants better understand how to support children with complex eating and nutrition needs and how to collaborate with families and care teams to promote healthier outcomes. At the end of this course, you will be able to (1) state the definition of neurodevelopmental disorders, disordered eating behaviors, and nutrition-related concerns, (2) identify the impact disordered eating behaviors and nutrition-related concerns can have on mood, behavior, cognition, and physical health, (3) state three common signs of disordered eating behaviors and nutrition-related concerns among clients with autism, and (4) list two screening, intervention, and management strategies professionals can implement with clients who have disordered eating behaviors and nutrition-related concerns. This distance-learning, independent format is offered at 0.2 CEUs, Introductory Level, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge, and targeted to introductory- to intermediate level OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, mental health professionals, educators, parents, and other pediatric professionals. The course instructor, Jerrod Brown, PhD, is a professor, trainer, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod has also been employed with Pathways Counseling Center, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 2003. For more information on our recorded courses, visit our website: https://www.sensationalbrain.com/product-cagtegory/ceu/on-demand-webinars. To stay abreast of our latest live and view-on-demand course offerings, sales, and FREEBIES, consider subscribing to our newsletter: bit.ly/3tkOSAX. Send questions to celeste@sensationalbrain.com.