Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a feeding difficulty where a child eats a very limited range or amount of food. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not about body image. It is usually driven by one or more of three things:
- Sensory sensitivity: strong reactions to taste, texture, smell, or appearance.
- Low interest or appetite: food just is not rewarding or noticed.
- Fear or a bad experience: choking, vomiting, or pain that made eating feel unsafe.
Why it is not "just picky eating"
Many children are selective. ARFID is different in degree and impact: weight or growth may be affected, nutrition may be incomplete, or mealtimes cause real distress for the child and family.
What recovery looks like
Recovery is gradual. Progress is measured in small, repeatable wins: tolerating a new food on the plate, taking one small taste, or staying calm at the table. It is not measured in "clean plate" days. Your care team will help you set a pace that feels safe.
Remember: you are not causing this, and pressure rarely helps. Structure, patience, and predictable practice do.
Related resources
- Food Exposure: Small Steps Up the Ladder
How graded exposure helps a child move from "no" to "taste" without pressure.
- Helping Your Child Cope with Big Feelings at Meals
Simple co-regulation and coping tools for anxious or overwhelmed eaters.