Beyond Bites, How Context Shapes Eating: A by donation event

Beyond Bites, How Context Shapes Eating

Get your ticket here via Humanitx

The webinar will be recorded and all ticket holders will receive a viewing link that will be live for 30 days

Good to Know Info:

• The webinar presentation will aim to be about 1 hour long and then there will be time for questions for those attending. Please note that the Q & A time will not be recorded to protect people’s privacy
• All tickets are a donation and donations will be going to support Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM) and Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC)
• This webinar uses a donation-based ticket system. At checkout, please choose the donation amount that feels right for your circumstances.Donations are non-refundable.
• The live event is on September 15th from 10 – 11.30 AM (BST/London)
• Your joining link (via Zoom) is in the email you receive upon booking and will be sent again by me a few days prior

In this webinar, our focus will be about something I think we often overlook for ourselves and when supporting young people with eating:

Context.

We often focus on what a young person is eating, but not always where, when, with who, or under what conditions eating feels possible.

Many parents, carers, and professionals will recognise experiences like:

-A young person eating a food in one setting but unable to eat it elsewhere
-Foods only being accepted at certain times or within certain routines
-A child happily eating with one person but not another
-Eating patterns changing completely when expectations or environments shift

These experiences can feel confusing from the outside, especially when the food itself hasn’t changed.

In this talk, I’ll be exploring how eating is shaped by far more than taste alone. We’ll look at the role of routine, predictability, sensory experiences, emotional safety, relationships, and environmental cues in shaping eating experiences for all of us.

The session will also help us in understanding how the wider context around eating can help us offer more supportive, compassionate approaches.

This talk is designed for parents, carers, educators, therapists, and professionals supporting young people around eating and mealtimes.

Who is Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM)?

Autistic Inclusive Meets is a not-for-profit organisation created by autistic people to enable families with autistic children, and autistic individuals to get out into the community and socialise in an accepting, inclusive environment with like-minded peers.

We provide support and advice to families and individuals, promote acceptance of autism through education of the general public, and protect autistic rights by campaigning against autistic mistreatment.

Who is Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC)?

From their webpage

MIRAC is an all-volunteer, grassroots, multiracial, and multinational immigrant rights mass-movement organization. MIRAC fights for legalization for all, an end to immigration raids and deportations, an end to all anti-immigrant laws, and full equality in all areas of life.

About Your Host:

Laura Hellfeld, Neurodivergent Nurse Consulting; RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, Sleep Consultant 

Laura is a neurodivergent health educator, independent Nurse & Sleep Consultant, and author dedicated to reshaping how self-care is supported within neurodivergent and disabled communities. Their work centres on accessible approaches to food and eating, sleep, hygiene and toileting. Laura does this through direct support for individuals and families, as well as through workshops and educational events for both professionals and community members. They are also a Patron for Autistic Inclusive Meets (AIM) and member of the Autistic Burnout Network (ABN).

Drawing from lived experience and public health service, Laura creates inclusive spaces, hosts community events, and co-authors books like Gabby’s Glimmers and Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People. Laura is soon publishing a parent/carer-focused series beginning with Flush Forward! and co-authoring a book for primary educators called Belonging First which will be available January 2027.