Hosted by Paediatric and Obesity Specialist Groups and Autism Sub-Group.
Join us for a half-day study session exploring neurodiversity, with a particular focus on autism and ADHD. The program will cover:
Aim:
To increase understanding of the relationship between autism, ADHD, feeding difficulties, and obesity in children, and to provide practical strategies for support.
Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Outline possible drivers of eating differences and difficulties that can arise in autism and in ADHD
- Identify key nutritional risks associated with selective eating and obesity in autism & ADHD
- Awareness of the barriers to accessing support for selective eating
- Explore practical, neuro-affirming strategies to support the nutritional well-being of neurodivergent children and their families
- Apply learning from case studies and lived experience to inform neuro-affirming clinical practice
Speakers
- Laura Hellfeld, Nurse Consultant and Author (RN, MSN, PHN, CNL presenting on The bigger picture: Autism, ADHD, feeding difficulties and weight in children.
More about Laura- Laura is a neurodivergent nurse, health educator, and public health worker whose work focuses on equity and belonging within neurodivergent and disabled communities. They centre accessible approaches to self-care while also shaping inclusive community and public spaces, particularly within education and healthcare. Laura has licensure in Nursing (MSN, RN) and Public Health Nursing (PHN), as well as certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). Laura has authored Flush Forward! and co-authored books like Gabby’s Glimmers and Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People.
- Connie Peña, Specialist Dietitian for children with special needs presenting on Selective eating and obesity in autism: Assessing nutritional risks.
More about Connie- Constanza Peña (known as Connie) is a Chilean born registered dietitian, MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Paediatric Dietetics. Working as a specialist dietitian for children with special needs since 2015 at Evelina Children’s Community Services London. Member of the BDA Obesity Specialist Group committee as resources officer since 2019. Lead author research article published 2022: ‘Parental experiences of adopting healthy lifestyles for children with disabilities living with overweight and obesity’ in Disability and Health Journal. Passionate about working with children and their families and to implement strategies tailored towards individual child’s needs that will improve their nutritional status.
- Shelley Easter, Specialist Paediatric Dietitian in weight management presenting on case studies from a weight management service.
More about Shelly- Shelley is a specialist paediatric dietitian working at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children since 2005 and has worked in the area of paediatric weight management for a number of years. She has contributed to the BDA’s paediatric weight management tool kit and was one of the authors for the childhood obesity sections for the most recent manual of dietetic practice and also the upcoming edition of clinical paediatric dietetics manual.
- A live talk from a parent sharing their lived experience.
Cost
- Paediatric Specialist Group member Free
- Obesity Specialist Group member Free
- Autism Sub-Group member Free
- Student member Free
- BDA member £20
Pleae note: This study session is open to BDA members and members of the above specialist/sub groups only.
For our lower-cost activities, we encourage payment by card wherever possible. Invoice processing can take considerable time in many organisations and often requires additional follow-up for outstanding payments. We understand that card payment is not always possible, but we would be grateful if you could use this method whenever you can.
Admin code: SLA
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