This Eating & Feeding Information Gathering Journal was developed to accompany the webinar When Eating is Hard: ARFID & the PDA Community for PDA Space.
Purpose
This journal is an information‑gathering tool to support parents and carers when a young person is finding eating hard, feels distressed around food, or struggles with regulating eating.
It is not specific to any one diagnosis or condition. It can be helpful when exploring a wide range of experiences. Many young people experience eating difficulties for multiple overlapping reasons. This document is designed to honour that complexity.
The aim is to help you:
- Notice patterns and changes over time
- Hold information in one place
- Reduce the pressure to remember everything
- Communicate more effectively with health and support professionals
Important Note
This journal is not a diagnostic tool.
It does not confirm or rule out any medical condition, feeding disorder, or eating disorder. Food and eating difficulties are best understood through careful, compassionate assessment by qualified professionals, alongside family knowledge of the young person.
This document exists to support understanding, advocacy, and collaborative care.
Image from Canva by Stefanut Sava’s Images
You might also be interested in my other food blogs such as ‘Why “Just Try It” Might Not Work at the Dinner Table’, ‘Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations‘, ‘Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities‘ and ‘How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies‘
How to Use This Journal
- Go slowly. You do not need to complete everything at once.
- Keep it simple at first: Start where it feels easiest. You don’t need to complete every section immediately. Start with what you know and add details over time.
- Use your own words: Everyday language (versus medical terms) is more than enough.
- Notice changes: Shifts from what is typical for your young person matter. Keep notes as you go and add details when you notice new changes
- Note patterns, not just diagnoses: For example: fatigue, chronic pain, digestive issues, migraines, and skin sensitivities may be important even if they weren’t formally diagnosed.
- Use examples: Short notes like “stopped eating crunchy foods” or “wakes at 2 am nightly since July” are useful.
- Bring to appointments: Share a copy (or key sections) with healthcare professionals to add valuable context.
You can download the Eating & Feeding Information Gathering Journal here
Thank you for being here,
Laura Hellfeld
RN, MSN, PHN, CNL
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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.
Signposting and Resources
- Flush Forward!: A Friendly Toileting Guide for Parents Supporting Disabled and Neurodivergent Young People
- Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People
- Gabby’s Glimmers: An Affirming Story of an Autistic Child and their Favourite Food
- Why “Just Try It” Might Not Work at the Dinner Table, Blog
- Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations, Blog
- More on Context Eating: Understanding Food Preferences Without Pushing for Change, Blog
- Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities, Blog
- How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies, Blog
Last modified: 11 June 2026