Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders vs Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Speaker:
- Kay A. Toomey, PhD
- Duration:
- 7 Hours
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Feb 12, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS063505
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
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.
Credit
Handouts/Brochure
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASHA Instructions - Self Study (111.9 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Manual - Picky Eaters (1.7 MB) | 160 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - Picky Eaters - French (1.7 MB) | 160 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - Picky Eaters - Italian (1.7 MB) | 160 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - Picky Eaters - German (1.7 MB) | 160 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - Picky Eaters - Spanish (1.7 MB) | 160 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Speaker
Kay A. Toomey, PhD Related seminars and products
Toomey & Associates, Inc.
Dr. Kay A. Toomey is a pediatric psychologist who has worked with picky eaters and problem feeders for over 35 years. She has developed the SOS Approach to Feeding as a family-centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems. Dr. Toomey helped to form The Children’s Hospital – Denver’s Pediatric Oral Feeding Clinic, as well as the Rose Medical Center’s Pediatric Feeding Center.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Kay Toomey is the President of Toomey & Associates and a researcher with the Sensory Processing Disorders Foundation. She receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Kay Toomey has a professional relationship with Feeding Matters and The Feeding Trust.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info
Objectives
- Contrast the characteristics of a “picky eater”, a child with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and a client with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
- Analyze at least 3 critical components of a Differential Decision Tree for Picky Eaters vs PFD vs ARFID.
- Evaluate the validity of the criteria for ARFID.
- Identify physical, motor, sensory, oral-motor, environmental, nutritional and behavior factors necessary to consider to accurately assess feeding/eating problems.
- Choose appropriate treatment approaches for the distinct types of feeding/eating problems.
- Utilize practical treatment strategies to advance children’s feeding skills and improve intake of more nutritious foods.
- Analyze clinical strategies to address family meal routines.
Outline
Definitions, Prevalence, Research, Risks & Limitations
- Picky Eaters
- Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)
- Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Differential Decision Tree
- Validity Issues with ARFID
Completing a Comprehensive Feeding Assessment
- Medical/organ systems
- Muscle systems (posture, gross and fine motor, oral motor)
- Sensory systems
- Learning/cognition
- Development
- Nutrition
- Environment
Treatment Approaches & Risks – Align Intervention with Assessment and Diagnosis
- Acute Medical
- Parent Education
- Eating Disorders/ARFID & Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Operant Conditioning (escape extinction, object reinforcement)
- Classical Conditioning (systematic desensitization, flooding)
- Case Studies: Differential Diagnosis
Practical, Evidence Based Feeding Strategies
- Routines and Environmental Supports
- Matching Foods to a Child’s Skill Set
- Reinforcement
- Management of Challenging Behaviors
When to Refer
- Red Flags
Target Audience
- Physicians, Psychiatrists , Nurses working with picky eaters, children with Feeding Disorders, Eating Disorders and/or ARFID
- Registered Dietitians working with picky eaters, children with Feeding Disorders, Eating Disorders and/or ARFID
- Psychologists working with children with developmental challenges, Feeding Disorders, Eating Disorders and/or ARFID
- Other mental health providers working with children with developmental challenges, Feeding Disorders, Eating Disorders and/or ARFID (e.g. social workers, counselors)
- Pediatric Occupational Therapists
- Pediatric Speech Pathologists
- Pediatric Feeding Specialists
- Autism Specialists
- Teachers/Educators, including Special Education service providers
- Day care providers
Reviews
| 5 |
|
| 4 |
|
| 3 |
|
| 2 |
|
| 1 |
|
Overall: 4.8
Total Reviews: 15
Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our goal and our guarantee. Concerns should be addressed to: PO Box 1000, Eau Claire, WI 54702-1000 or call 1-800-844-8260.
ADA Needs
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.
PESI Mobile App
Access CE trainings on your phone or tablet through our free mobile app. Choose video or audio-only versions of online courses from the world’s best instructors, and complete your CE requirements anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.
Please wait ...