08/31/2026
It can be really hard to know when picky eating is just… picky eating — and when there may be something more going on underneath.
Especially when you keep hearing things like, “They’ll eat when they’re hungry,” or “They’ll grow out of it.”
Picky eating, Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), and ARFID can sometimes look very similar from the outside, but what is happening underneath can be very different.
I’m a pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist in Naples and have online options available as well, and a big part of my work is helping families figure out why eating feels so hard for their child.
Feeding challenges are never just about whether a child will or won’t eat a certain food.
Sensory processing, chewing and oral-motor skills, anxiety, rigidity, development, past feeding experiences, the mealtime environment, and even how safe and supported a child feels can all play a role.
That’s why my approach is relationship-based and focused on the whole child.
I want to understand what’s getting in the way first, and then help the child build the comfort, skills, flexibility, and confidence they need for eating to become easier over time.|
I wrote a blog that breaks down the differences between picky eating, PFD, and ARFID, along with some signs that it may be worth looking a little deeper.
https://www.thatmakessenseot.com/blogs/picky-eating-pfd-arfid
If you read it and find yourself thinking, “This sounds like my child,” there’s a link at the end to reach out and tell me a little about what’s been going on.
If feeding already feels harder than you think it should, you don’t have to wait for it to become even harder before asking for support.
Wondering if your child's eating challenges are picky eating, Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD), or ARFID? Learn the differences and what may be happening beneath the surface.
