So often, the children we follow for PFDs may have co-occurring food allergies and may show refusal/aversion, anxiety with eating, and poor intake, slowness in eating, immature diet, and delays in oral sensory-motor skills. When we complete our differentials, careful consideration of the “why” behind clinical presentation and parental report are essential.  We are sometimes the critical link in suggestions to the pediatrician that a consult be considered to further assess potential for food allergies that may have not been apparent and may be part of “why” the child has behaviors consistent with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder.

Kefford, J., Marshall, J., Packer, R. L., & Ward, E. C. (2023). Feeding characteristics in children with food allergies: A scoping review. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2023_JSLHR-23-00303