Feeding a child with PDA can be unpredictable and overwhelming. One day they may happily eat a food, and the next day the same food is suddenly “too much or not safe” Meals can turn into power struggles, avoidance, shutdowns, or complete refusals—often leaving parents wondering what they’re doing wrong.

But here’s the truth:

You’re not doing anything wrong.

And your child isn’t being “difficult or naughty”.

Children with a PDA profile are navigating a nervous system that is wired to avoid perceived threats/demands. Even the ones they genuinely want to meet, like eating or using the bathroom can feel like a threat response.

Firstly ARFID is not just “picky eating”, it is a multifaceted eating disorder and neurodivergence characterised by severe food avoidance or restriction. ARFID can originate from anxiety, fear of food and/or eating, past trauma, sensory processing differences (involving texture, taste, and smell), or variations in executive functioning.

Executive function refers to a set of mental skills and processes that are responsible for guiding and regulating various cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functions. These functions help individuals plan, organise, initiate and complete tasks, make decisions, solve problems, control impulses, manage time, and switch between different activities.