ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It can involve:
ARFID is not driven by body image concerns. You do not need a diagnosis to seek support.
If you are a young person aged 11–16 with ARFID, or ARFID-like symptoms, support will usually begin with your parent or guardian attending our Not Just a Fussy Eater course. Not Just a Fussy Eater is a practical four-week course for parents and carers of young people aged 11–25 with ARFID or ARFID-like symptoms. Topics include Understanding ARFID and sensory difficulties, Practical strategies, mealtimes, communication and neurodivergence and eating.
It is designed to help you better understand avoidant or restrictive eating and feel more confident supporting your young person.
Once parents or carers have completed the course, there may be the opportunity for follow-up 1:1 support where appropriate.
If you are aged 16–25 and responsible for your meal preparation and cooking your support will be tailored to your goals and identity. The appropriate support will be determined at assessment.
If your parent or care giver is responsible for your food shopping and meal preparation please follow the 11-16 pathway first, please find above.
Self-refer
If you are a young person aged 11–16 with ARFID, or ARFID-like symptoms, support will usually begin with your parent or guardian, please see Support for ages 11-16.
If you prefer to start in your own time, our free ARFID Self-Help Guide and Workbook offers a gentle, self-paced place to begin.
It includes:
Before you download the guide and workbook, we’d like to ask you to complete a short Getting Started questionnaire.
The questionnaire is completely anonymous and helps us understand who is using our resources and measure the impact of our service, so we can continue to improve the support we offer.
