Back-to-school is filled with anticipation. New teachers, new classrooms, new friendships, and a fresh start.

For families navigating pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), ARFID, and other feeding differences, it can also bring something else: uncertainty.

Will my child’s teacher understand? Will lunchtime feel safe? Will my child have to explain, once again, why eating looks different for them?

Over the years, I’ve learned something from the families we serve: one of the hardest parts of a feeding disorder is feeling misunderstood. It can make an already challenging journey incredibly lonely as well.

When understanding is missing, children can be seen as picky instead of struggling. Parents become exhausted from explaining and advocating. Educators want to help but often don’t have the resources to know where to begin.

That’s why we created our PFD/ARFID School Toolkit: a free resource that helps caregivers advocate for their child’s needs, and helps teachers, counselors, and school staff understand what feeding differences look like in the classroom.

This Back-to-School season, you can create understanding. Through In My Own Way, we’re helping Ollie’s story find its way into classrooms, school libraries, counselors’ offices, and conversations across the country. Every book shared is an opportunity for a teacher to see a student differently, for a classmate to build empathy, and for a family to feel just a little less alone.

At the same time, your support helps Feeding Matters continue providing the trusted resources, parent mentorship, support groups, and guidance that give families confidence to navigate the school year and beyond.

Every child deserves to feel understood. Together, we can help make that possible.

Thank you for believing in this work and for the many ways you help create a more understanding world for children and families navigating feeding challenges.

With so much gratitude,
Jaclyn Pederson, MHI
CEO

Support our 2026 Back to School Campaign!

Share Ollie’s Story! Buy an In My Own Way book for your child, and we’ll send you one for their school.

Fund a bundle of 3, 7, or 20 In My Own Way books and we’ll send to schools who need them across the United States.