Resilience in Reach Virtual Village - with Jane Rowan

More Than Picky Eating: Eating disorders, Food Sensitivities & Restrictive Eating

A free Virtual Village conversation with Jane Rowan, Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia

"Is this just picky eating, or should I be worried?"

It's a question many parents and carers find themselves asking when a child or young person is experiencing difficulties with food and eating.

And for families of autistic or ADHD young people who have been told their child's eating is “just part of who they are”, it can be difficult to recognise when to seek help and how to access it.

Join us for this free Resilience in Reach Virtual Village session with guest speaker Jane Rowan, Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA).

📅 Wednesday 18 November 2026

⏰ 12:30pm - 2:30pm

💻 Online and free to attend

Drawing on her professional knowledge and personal lived experience as a parent, Jane will explore eating disorders, restrictive eating and food sensitivities, with practical information to help families better understand what they may be seeing and how to seek support.

What we'll explore

• Understanding anorexia, bulimia, disordered eating and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)

• The relationship between neurodivergence, including autism and ADHD, and food sensitivities

• Recognising signs that may indicate it's time to seek professional help

• Navigating eating-related challenges as a parent or carer

• Practical tips and approaches families can use straight away

About our guest speaker: Jane Rowan

Jane Rowan knows first-hand what it is to care for a child with an eating disorder. When her daughter became unwell as a teenager, Jane stepped away from work to support her recovery at home and learned how isolating the experience can be for parents. Today she is Executive Director of Eating Disorders Families Australia, a national organisation offering free counselling, education and peer connection to families and carers. She is committed to ensuring no family goes through this alone, and that parents are recognised as essential partners in their child’s recovery.

About The Virtual Village

The Resilience in Reach Virtual Village is a regular online gathering for parents, carers, families and kin just like you - your homebase to connect, find understanding and support, and hear from people with their own lived experiences that resonate.

You don’t have to navigate caring for a child or young person with complex mental health alone. Across the year, we’ll invite different guest speakers and voices into the Village, shaped by the topics and experiences you tell us matter most.

Everyone needs a village - and we want this one to feel like yours. You are welcome to listen, ask questions or contribute to the conversation in whatever way feels comfortable.

Register to join us and receive the session details.

You may know the Virtual Village by its former name, the Resilience in Reach Online Peer Network. Same welcoming space, with a new name that better reflects a homebase to connect, find understanding and support, and hear from people with lived experiences that resonate.