What is ARFID and why a word shift may be needed with Natasha Lane

What if feeding differences weren’t seen as problems, but as natural expressions of neurodivergence?

In this episode, Laetitia is joined by Natasha Lane, a proudly autistic ADHDer, dietitian, feeding therapist, parent and grandparent whose lived experience deeply informs her work. Through her practice, Eating and Feeding, Natasha supports neurodivergent families navigating feeding challenges, food shame, and neuronormative expectations around eating.

Together, they explore what it means to support neurodivergent children (and their families) with food, without judgment or pressure to “fix” anything. Natasha shares her passionate belief that food differences are not inherently disordered and that naming the harm caused by the systems around us is a key part of healing.

Whether you're a parent, educator or practitioner, this episode is full of gentle reframes, practical wisdom, and honest insights that challenge outdated narratives and leave space for every person to be fully themselves.

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Key takeaways

• How neurodivergent eating is often misunderstood
• Why we need to be careful with labels, especially for kids
• Rethinking what a “balanced” plate looks like
• Practical ways to advocate for neurodivergent needs at school and beyond
• Why supporting a child’s eating often starts with healing the parent’s own story

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About the guest

Natasha Lane is an autistic ADHDer, dietitian, feeding therapist, parent, and grandparent. Her own experiences with food and eating were often misunderstood, and like many of the young people and families she now supports, she was labelled “fussy,” “quirky,” or “too hard” when in reality, she was autistic.

That lived experience is the heart of her practice, Eating and Feeding. Natasha believes in naming the harm caused by neuronormative expectations, challenging the pressure to conform, and creating space where people can truly be themselves. She works with young people who are tired of being treated like a problem to fix, and with parents who are exhausted by systems that were never built for neurodivergent families.

Her home is her sanctuary—alive with the gentle chaos of family life, two little dogs underfoot and two curious cats watching it all unfold. It’s this warmth, honesty, and lived experience that makes her voice such a powerful guide for families.

💻 Website:⁠ eatingandfeeding.com.au⁠

📸 Instagram: ⁠@eating.and.feeding⁠

About the host

Laetitia Andrac (Autistic & ADHDer) is an award-winning entrepreneur, international speaker, and podcast host. 

She is the bestselling author of Light It: How to Trust Your Intuition and Build a Thriving Business. With over 15 years of experience in consulting, strategy, and innovation, Laetitia has worked with industry leaders like Deloitte and Telstra. 

Inspired by my journey as a neurodivergent parent, she co-founded Understanding Zoe, an AI-driven solution dedicated to supporting caregivers of neurodivergent children. 

Her passion is creating a more neuroinclusive world, where everyone can thrive—whether in their homes, communities, or workplaces.

Frequently asked questions

What is ARFID and how common is the diagnosis?

ARFID is the newest official diagnosis for very restricted or avoidant eating. It was added to the DSM in its latest edition. Dietitian Natasha Lane says ARFID is real. She is increasingly seeing very young children given this diagnosis. She feels many of these children are simply eating in a typical neurodivergent way. Nothing about that needs fixing.

Why does Natasha want a language shift for ARFID?

Natasha Lane worries that naming ordinary neurodivergent eating as a diagnosis sends the wrong message. Young children are still forming their identity. She fears this labelling teaches them to see their eating as something wrong. She would rather children learn their eating reflects a neurobiological trait. It is not a problem to fix.

What does typical neurodivergent eating look like?

Neurodivergent eating varies a lot between people, Natasha Lane explains. Her own son eats the same simple dinner every night, with strong brand preferences. Taste can shift with the season. Some foods disappear from his plate for a while. Some people eat mostly plain foods but love one surprising item, like olives. There is no single typical pattern.

How can parents ease pressure around their child's eating?

Natasha Lane says getting support for yourself is the first step. Food ties into your values and culture. Shifting how you feel about it takes real work. She reminds parents that many children she sees are underweight and simply need calories. Insisting on a balanced diet when a child cannot manage it just creates guilt. That guilt and shame can spread to the whole family.

What can parents say to schools about feeding differences?

Natasha Lane often writes a letter for the school file on a family's behalf. It asks staff not to talk about food with the child. It also says not to force the child to join in. They should not have to if they do not want to. She points parents toward NEDC guidelines about how schools should discuss food.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome and Natasha's own story
• 2:40 Defining feeding differences and diagnoses
• 5:21 ARFID diagnosis and the word shift
• 9:42 Real food examples from Natasha's family
• 13:22 Advice for parents wanting more control
• 16:42 Healing from your own food shame
• 20:58 Scripts for school and social outings
• 24:44 Quickfire favourites and Zoe's pulse check