Nourish Therapy in Collaboration with Carson Psychology Presents
ARFID Diagnosis Pathway
Our ARFID Diagnosis Pathway provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment to help families understand whether their child’s feeding difficulties meet the criteria for an Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Diagnosis and, most importantly, what support is needed moving forward.
What is ARFID?
At Nourish Therapy, we envision a future where every child experiences the joy of eating without fear or restriction. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to turn this vision into reality through innovative therapies and compassionate care.
Children with ARFID may:
- Eat a very limited range of foods
- Avoid foods because of sensory sensitivities to taste, texture, smell, appearance, or temperature
- Develop fears around choking, vomiting, allergic reactions, or becoming unwell after eating
- Have little interest in eating or a consistently low appetite
- Experience anxiety or distress around trying new foods
- Avoid social situations involving food, such as birthday parties or school camps
- Experience nutritional deficiencies, poor growth, or weight concerns
ARFID can occur in children of all ages and is commonly seen alongside autism, ADHD, anxiety, gastrointestinal conditions, and other neurodevelopmental differences.
What to Expect During the ARFID Diagnosis Assessment
Our ARFID Diagnosis Assessment has been carefully designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of your child’s feeding difficulties. We take a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to ensure all aspects of your child’s eating, health, development, and wellbeing are considered.
Step 1: Comprehensive Screening Assessment
Before your first appointment, you will be asked to complete intake forms that provide our team with a detailed picture of your child’s feeding history and current challenges.
This includes information about:
- Pregnancy, birth, and early feeding history
- Developmental and medical history
- Current eating patterns and food variety
- Mealtime routines and family experiences
- Growth and nutritional concerns
- Sensory and oral-motor concerns
Step 2 & 3: Comprehensive Psychological Assessment
Your child and family will meet (virtually) with one of our registered clinical psychologists on two occasions for a comprehensive assessment including psychometric testing. The aim is to understand the emotional, behavioural, and psychological factors that may be contributing to your child’s eating difficulties.
Areas explored during the assessment include:
- Eating and feeding history
- Food-related anxiety and sensory needs
- Emotional regulation and coping strategies
- Impact on family life and daily routines
- Participation in school, social, and community activities involving food
- Assessment of whether the presentation is consistent with ARFID
- Consideration of other psychological or developmental factors
- Relevant psychometric assessment
- Clinical formulation and written summary of findings
Step 4: Specialist Dietetic Review
Our paediatric dietitian will then assess your child’s nutritional status and the impact their restricted eating is having on their health and development.
The assessment includes:
- A detailed dietary assessment
- Analysis of food variety and nutritional adequacy
- Growth history and nutritional risk
- Identification of potential vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Review of nutritional supplements or specialised formulas
- Consideration of gastrointestinal symptoms and medical conditions affecting eating
- Recommendations for any further nutritional investigations, if required
Step 5: Multidisciplinary Clinical Review & Diagnostic Report
Following both assessments, our clinical psychologist and dietitian meet to review all available information.
This collaborative discussion considers the medical and nutritional concerns, the psychological impact on feeding and everyday life and whether the child meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ARFID. Throughout this assessment, it may be recommended that further psychological testing to explore additional developmental diagnosis may be beneficial. This will be discussed with each family as appropriate.
The written report includes a summary of the assessment, diagnostic outcome (whether the criteria for ARFID has been met), nutritional findings, and evidence-based recommendations. With your consent, this report can also be shared with your child’s GP, paediatrician, school, or other healthcare professionals to support coordinated care.
Step 6: Feedback Session
Your child and family will meet (virtually) with our clinical psychologist or dietitian to discuss the assessment findings and explain the diagnostic outcome. The aim is to discuss whether the child meets diagnostic criteria for ARFID, discuss the child’s individual ARFID presentation and appropriate treatment options, including ongoing feeding therapy, psychology support and nutritional intervention where indicated.
Who Should Consider an ARFID Diagnosis?
An ARFID assessment may be beneficial if your child:
- Eats fewer foods than expected for their age
- Has an extremely limited diet that continues to become more restrictive
- Becomes distressed when presented with unfamiliar foods
- Refuses entire food groups or textures
- Has anxiety related to eating, choking, vomiting, or trying new foods
- Has poor weight gain, weight loss, or faltering growth
- Has nutritional deficiencies or relies on nutritional supplements
- Avoids eating at school, social events, or with extended family
- Experiences significant stress around mealtimes
- Has feeding difficulties that are affecting family life, education, health, or participation in everyday activities
If your child’s feeding challenges are having a meaningful impact on their wellbeing or daily life, an assessment can help determine the underlying cause and guide the most appropriate support.
There is no age criteria for an ARFID diagnosis, however it is often advised to wait until 2+ years of age.
Why Seek an ARFID Diagnosis?
Clarity
Understanding why your child is struggling with eating can help replace confusion and frustration with understanding and compassion.
A Clear Treatment Plan
Knowing whether your child meets the criteria for ARFID allows treatment to be tailored to their specific needs, ensuring therapy targets the underlying factors contributing to feeding difficulties.
Better Communication
A comprehensive diagnostic report can support discussions with healthcare professionals, schools, and other services involved in your child’s care.
Validation
Families often describe feeling relieved to finally have an explanation for the feeding challenges they have been navigating. A diagnosis helps validate your child’s experiences and supports others to better understand their needs.
Earlier Intervention
Identifying ARFID early allows families to access appropriate support before feeding difficulties become more entrenched or begin to have a greater impact on nutrition, growth, learning, and quality of life.
Following a diagnosis, our evidence-based therapy programmes are designed to provide support for individuals experiencing ARFID. It maybe highlighted during the assessment a need for additional psychometric assessments to gain a deeper understanding of developmental function.
Start Here Registering Your InterestMeet Your Assessment Team
Carson Psychology
Clinical Psychologist
Kimberly Nelson
Paediatric Dietitian, Feeding Specialist, NZRD, Nourish Therapy
Investment
Funding options may be available which can be discussed. Private health insurance may be used depending on individual plans.
Your investment is $2400 inc GST for the complete comprehensive ARFID diagnosis. Payment plans are available.
Engaging in a therapy programme may be recommended. This will occur at a reduced rate, with separate funding options available.