20: 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educator or practitioner, this episode is full of gentle reframes, practical wisdom, and honest insights that challenge outdated narratives and leave space for every person to be fully themselves.

✨ Try Understanding Zoe free for 30 days – the neuroaffirming app turning every report, observation and meltdown into an actionable next step.

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.