Teresa will explore the different types of ARFID and how they present in daily life. She will look at some of the practical implications for both the child with ARFID as well as the whole family. Teresa believes that a clinical, evidence-based approach is of critical importance when working with this complex condition. She will provide some of the latest strategies and recommendations for parents and other caregivers supporting a child with ARFID.
Amanda will speak on her lived experience, parenting 4 neurodivergent children, 2 of whom have ARFID. She will talk about the challenges she has experienced as a parent to two children with ARFID. She will also talk about the progress her son’s have made and the positive supports and strategies she implements daily following the expert guidance and support she received from Teresa.
Bios:
Teresa Foley, Paediatric Occupational Therapist & Feeding Specialist
Teresa is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with 17 years' experience, spanning across inpatient and community settings in Ireland and Australia. Most of her career has been spent supporting Autistic children and their families.
Whilst working at the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf, Teresa worked with the National Specialist Feeding Service. She was the Occupational Therapist who co-established the Complex Feeding Clinic, which captured a previously unmet need of supporting children and families with presentations such as ARFID & Paediatric Feeding Disorder.
Teresa now owns two private Occupational Therapy clinics. In 2024, she established The Feeding Therapist, a specialist service for children and families with complex feeding presentations. She runs regular training events for both parents/carers and health professionals who wish to learn more about feeding challenges in children. She sits on a number of international feeding committees and regularly contributes to the national media. She is a guest lecturer at both TCD and UCD.
She is a mum of three young children and lives in Dublin.
Amanda McGuinness, Autism & Visual Support Specialist - Founder of Little Puddins
Amanda is a leading Autism and Visual Supports Specialist based in Ireland and the founder of Little Puddins.ie, a widely respected platform offering neuroaffirmative resources and support for Autistic individuals and their families. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience, Amanda regularly provides specialist training and support to schools, organisations and families.
She delivers regular training and webinars with a focus on Neuroinclusion, Neurodiversity Affirming practice, inclusive communication, Autistic PDA experiences, toileting, and identity-affirming supports. Amanda’s work is grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm and is informed by her commitment to promoting Autistic autonomy, dignity, and well-being.
She is a mum to four Autistic children, two of whom have Arfid.
