(HS Toomey 063505 2026) Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders vs Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Course overview

A challenge faced by all pediatric practitioners is determining when a family can be reassured about their child's feeding, eating and/or growth issues, if a child should be flagged for close monitoring, or if that child needs to be referred for in-depth evaluation and intervention. It is imperative that all professionals have the tools to identify which children would benefit from a feeding and/or eating assessment. This Workshop will define Picky Eaters, and cover the criteria for Pediatric Feeding Disorder and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, in order to create a Differential Diagnosis Decision Tree to guide accurate assessment and assist with identifying the appropriate course of treatment. Practical, evidence based strategies to improve family mealtimes will be given for all children, with or without feeding/eating difficulties.