Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Approach and Management | Part 2 Bridging Research and Practice in Pediatric Nutrition

The connection between feeding issues and long-term health outcomes
We will explore the connection between early feeding issues and varied physical and psychosocial health outcomes

Praveen Goday, MD
Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH

Dr. Goday is a graduate of Madras Medical College, India .He is the Director of Feeding and Nutrition Programs, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. He is currently serving as the Vice President of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). Dr. Goday’s research interests include multiple efforts to improve feeding, nutrition, and growth in children with diverse diseases.

Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD)
This presentation of Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD) highlights the growing need for community pediatricians to distinguish between PFD and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), two overlapping but distinct conditions. While ARFID is a DSM-5 diagnosis typically managed through mental health interventions, PFD is conceptualized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, requiring multidisciplinary care across medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and psychosocial domains. The presentation will emphasize the importance of increasing awareness of pediatric feeding disorders, applying diagnostic criteria, and offering practical management strategies.

Meta van den Heuvel, MD, PhD
Hospital for Sick Children

Dr. Meta van den Heuvel is a Staff Pediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, whose work bridges clinical care, research, and advocacy in child nutrition and development. Her research program centers on promoting early childhood growth and development within a health equity framework, with a particular focus on the intersection of nutrition, maternal mental health, and feeding practices. Internationally recognized for her contributions to understanding the developmental outcomes of children with severe malnutrition, Dr. van den Heuvel has led and collaborated on multiple studies across Canada, Malawi, and Uganda. She is also a Lawson Distinguished Fellow in Child Growth, Development and Health Equity, and actively leads initiatives addressing food insecurity and material hardship in pediatric hospital settings. Through her clinical work in a multidisciplinary feeding clinic she continues to shape best practices in pediatric nutrition and child development.

Helping Kids Thrive: Practical Strategies for Feeding Disorders
This session will explore practical, evidence-based treatment strategies to support children with feeding disorders. Nicola will discuss the importance of thorough assessment to guide intervention, setting meaningful goals in partnership with families, and working collaboratively to ensure cohesive care. The session will highlight responsive feeding approaches that foster trust and reduce mealtime stress, while recognizing and accommodating developmental and sensory differences that impact feeding.

Nicola Pratt, M.Sc., SLP(C). Reg. CASLPO
Speech-Language Pathologist / Feeding Therapist

Nicola Pratt is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Feeding Therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. As the owner and Clinical Director of FeedingPlus, a telehealth feeding clinic, she supports children and families across Ontario. Nicola works closely with SickKids Hospital, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Children’s Aid Society, and other community partners to support children with complex feeding challenges. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, author of a globally read feeding blog, and the creator of online resources that help caregivers navigate their child’s feeding journey.