The Complete Guide to Assess the Picky Eater

2 hours - 2 CPEUs

In this course, Jennifer and Jessica will guide you through how to perform a complete assessment of the picky eater. They start by explaining the difference between picky eaters, problem feeders, pediatric feeding disorders and the controversy of the Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) definition. It's crucial to know why the child struggles with trying new foods so that you can provide the right solutions. They cover medical reasons for picky eating as well as oral motor and sensory red flags. They walk you through exactly what to look for and what questions to ask the parent. Nutrition and growth assessments will be reviewed in detail to avoid confusion. They discuss questions to ask parents to determine if their own relationship with food is healthy and what the family meal setting is like. At the end of this course, you will know exactly how to complete a full assessment for the picky eater.

Learning Objectives

● Define ‘picky eater,’ ‘problem feeding’ & ‘Pediatric Feeding Disorder.’

● Diagnose reasons for picky eating from medical to oral motor, sensory, family meal dynamics & caregivers relationship with food.

● Determine when to involve other health care providers in the child’s care plan.

● Assess growth and nutrition.

● Apply with a case study example of a full assessment.

Practical Strategies to Implement the Division of Responsibility

2 hours - 2 CPEUs

In this course, Jennifer and Jessica share a full literature review of the research behind the Division of Responsibility in feeding and why this should be the basis of all picky eating intervention. They discuss exactly how to teach these concepts to parents and boundaries they can establish around feeding along with language to use when talking with their children. They teach a three-step process on how to address every picky eating case in consultation or group class. They finish with three real case studies of picky eaters: one extreme picky eater, a 15 month old with growth concerns and a child who will only eat sweets. They even talk about high needs children and how autism can affect eating (and how the division of responsibility applies to them too). You will also get guidance on what to do if a child rejects a whole group of food for weeks and months, a child who asks for snacks 20 times a day and what to do when a parents tells you that the division of responsibility isn’t working for them. At the end of this course, you will be familiar with all the research about the division of responsibility, how to teach it to parents and how to confidently approach every picky eater case.

Learning Objectives

● Complete a literature review of the research behind the Division of Responsibility (DOR) in feeding.

● Learn how to break down the DOR and construct a plan for teaching these concepts to parents.

● Review how to apply the DOR in three case studies (a problem feeder, a child with growth concerns and a sweet-obsessed child)

Strategies to Deal with Sensory Difficulties with Picky Eaters (2 hours = 2 CPEUs)

Learning Objectives

● Identify which 8 senses are used in eating and warning signs a child might be an over or under-responder in all of these senses.

● Review play-based activities for each of the senses

● Determine how to make it easier for children to eat and expand their food selection.

● Summarize a case study of how to apply these strategies in a child with multiple sensory challenges.

The Theory and Implementation of Responsive Feeding (2 hours = 2 CPEUs)

● Define responsive feeding.

● Compare responsive feeding to other forms of treatment for picky eaters.

● Recognize how responsive feeding can work for problem feeders or children with autism or ARFID.

● Apply responsive feeding treatment in a case study of a problem feeder.

Why Children on the Autism Spectrum Struggle with Eating & Treatment Strategies that Work (2 hours = 2 CPEUs)

● Determine why children with autism may have difficulty eating, including the prevalence and specific challenges that are common.

● Review evidence for popular dietary supplements and diets for treating autism and whether they work.

● Apply strategies to treat children with ASD in a case study.

How to Offer Virtual Services (2 hours = 2 CPEUs)

● Discuss why virtual services are a growing trend and how we can apply them to our current businesses.

● Determine potential venues to find customers & methods of marketing

● Compare different types of programs to offer (i.e. group vs 1:1 vs e-course)

● Consider legal concerns with virtual practice (registration, insurance etc).

Customizable assessment form

In order to be able to complete a full assessment of the picky eater, we will provide a customizable assessment form that you can use for your consultations. It’s a 4-pager and you can make it your own, or use it as is. A real time saver!

Unlimited support

Whether it be to discuss business with Jessica or discuss in-depth picky eating cases with Jennifer, you have our unlimited support as a member of the International Picky Eating Network. You are welcome to schedule a video chat or send us an email whenever you’d like to chat with us.

5-day meal plan for picky eaters

This handout is so valuable to offer to families that you see. It’s a 14-page document that includes a 5-day meal plan for a family with 3 meals and 2 snacks. This is a guide to inspire parents that includes power oatmeal, chia pudding, avocado blueberry muffins, green smoothie recipes and much more.

15 quick family dinner recipes for busy nights

This recipe book is a perfect handout for families with picky eaters. Part of the struggle with family dinner is the planning and actually getting food on the table. This 15 quick family dinner recipe guide for busy nights will help your families do that. The PDF can easily be shared with your clients as a bonus.

Web Listing

As a member, you also get space on our website for your name & contact info to help parents find you.

Private Facebook Group

We decided to include a private Facebook group exclusive to members of the network where Jennifer and the other members can help you troubleshoot tough client cases from across the world. This is also an amazing resource to meet, network and refer to other multidisciplinary health professionals working with picky eaters.

How many CPEUs will I get?

Once you join, you get 12 continuing education units approved by the Commission for Dietetic Registration (CDR) for the first year and at least 8 more hours every year. If you’re Canadian, you can use the network towards multiple learning objectives in your yearly competencies.

Is this useful for public and private dietitians?

Any dietitian who works with families would benefit from this, whether it’s through the health care system or privately. Dietitians in private practice or who work in a small clinic or remote location and are not supported by a multidisciplinary team or other dietitians for questions and support would especially benefit.

What if this doesn’t work for my clients

Some children need the extra support of a whole health professional team to help them. The Picky Eating Network will provide you with the assessment skills to know when to refer on. And since we will be growing as a multidisciplinary network, it’s possible we can even start referring clients to each other! We will also have a Facebook group as well as email access to Jen, to help you troubleshoot any challenging clients you come across.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes, if you are not happy with the Picky Eating Network, email Jessica Coll or Jennifer House to explain why within 7 days of purchase. We will offer a 100% refund.

Will my employer pay for this?

If you have continuing education money through work, it’s possible your employer will cover the cost of the program.