Mealtimes may feel stressful, emotional or difficult to manage. Your loved one may have a very limited range of accepted foods, strong reactions to certain textures, smells or appearances, or high anxiety around trying new foods.
You may feel unsure how to help without increasing distress, and it can be frustrating when others describe the situation as “just fussy eating” when you know it is more complex than that.
You might also be trying to understand how autism, sensory sensitivities or anxiety may be affecting eating.
If any of this feels familiar, this course may help you feel more informed, supported and confident in how you respond.
This practical four-week course is designed to help you better understand avoidant or restrictive eating and feel more confident supporting your loved one.
You’ll gain tools, ideas and reassurance in a supportive group setting with others who understand.
Including food-related sensory sensitivities and avoidant or restrictive eating.
How neurodivergence and anxiety can affect eating patterns and mealtimes.
Exploring new foods gently and building a toolbox of helpful approaches.
Reducing stress, responding supportively and encouraging change without pressure.
Helpful communication approaches and understanding emotional responses.
Self-care, resilience and managing the impact on your own wellbeing.
You do not need a formal diagnosis to access this course. Anyone supporting someone with eating difficulties linked to ARFID, autism or sensory sensitivities is welcome.
Before joining, we’ll arrange a short assessment conversation to make sure the course feels helpful for your situation.
To register your interest, complete our referral form and we’ll be in touch about the next available course.
These sessions are important to try and give each family or supporter an understanding of ARFID and also how to provide support in terms of what helps and what hinders. I think the most useful element was knowing that I am not the only one experiencing this and also confirmation that what I have been doing is along the right lines. Thank you!
