Frequently asked questions

If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, please know that you are not alone.

What is ARFID?
ARFID stands for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. It is a mental health diagnosis for individuals who eat very little or avoid many foods, which can lead to nutritional concerns. Unlike some other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to body image concerns.

 How can ARFID show up?
ARFID can present in different ways, including a lack of interest in eating or low appetite, sensory-based food avoidance, or fear-based avoidance of food. 

Is ARFID the same thing as picky eating?
No. Feeding disorders are real and are not simply picky eatinng. ARFID involves persistent restriction or avoidance of food and may be connected to nutritional concerns, sensory sensitivities, fear, or low interest in eating. 

Is ARFID related to body image?
No. ARFID describes feeding problems and related nutritional risk without body image concerns, unlike eating disorders such as anorexia. 

Can a child have both ARFID and pediatric feeding disorder?
Yes. ARFID can overlap with pediatric feeding disorder, also known as PFD. Some children may qualify for both diagnoses, especially when feeding challenges include nutritional or psychosocial dysfunction. 

What is the difference between ARFID and PFD?
ARFID is a feeding and eating disorder and mental health diagnosis involving restricted or avoidant eating without body image concerns. PFD is a multidisciplinary diagnosis defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction. 

If my child has an ARFID diagnosis, should we also consider PFD?
Yes! When ARFID is diagnosed in young children, care should include a detailed look at the four domains of PFD: medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and psychosocial. This helps ensure that medical or feeding skill factors are not being missed. 

Why is early identification important?
Early identification and treatment are important for a child’s long-term health and well-being. 

Can ARFID affect school?
Yes. It’s Not Picky Eating provides a school toolkit for families navigating PFD and ARFID. The toolkit includes tools families can share with teachers and school staff, social-emotional support resources, and information about school supports such as IDEA, ADA, IEPs, and 504 plans. 

Where can families find support?
The It’s Not Picky Eating website offers support resources for parents and caregivers, including virtual support groups, a school toolkit, a provider directory, the Power of Two Parent Mentor Program, food access resources, and other family supports. 

How should medical concerns be addressed with doctors?
If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, try not to wait until the next wellness checkup to bring them up. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor to discuss your concerns as soon as possible.

Consider keeping a food journal of your child’s eating and mealtime behavior to share with your doctor to help them direct you to the appropriate first referral. It may be helpful to share what your child is eating, how much your child ate at that mealtime and how you and they felt before and after mealtimes.

You can also fill out the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire® (ICFQ©) and either print it out or email it to your child’s doctor.

Is there someone I can talk to about specific questions?
Yes! Leave a message at 623-242-5234 x1 to speak with a family support coordinator. You can also get support through our peer mentoring program, Power of Two, or ask your child’s doctor about local support groups.

How do I know if my child is eating enough?
Your child’s primary care doctor will track growth at each wellness checkup. If you are worried about the quantity or type of food your child eats, contact them to discuss your concerns. They may recommend an evaluation with a specialist or you can ask for a referral if you still have concerns.

Should I be worried if my child has a limited diet?
It’s natural to feel anxious if your child only eats a few foods. If your child refuses to try new foods or will only eat certain foods, do not force-feed them. This may end up causing a negative mealtime experience for both you and your child. Seek out the help of your child’s primary care doctor. They may refer you to an RDN, speech-language pathologist, and/or occupational therapist to discuss your child’s needs.

How can I help mealtimes be positive for both my child and me?
Working with a professional can help you understand how to model positive behaviors and keep the experience stress-free for both of you.

Is there financial assistance available for families of children with ARFID?
Feeding Matters awards Financial Assistance grants each fall to parents or legal guardians of a child under 18 years of age with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) or feeding difficulties who can demonstrate financial need. Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter for information on the program launch and deadlines each fall!

Do you have resources in other languages?
We currently offer material in Spanish. Click here to learn more.

Do you have ASHA-AOTA Accredited Courses, CEUs, Feeding Evaluation and Assessment Courses, Grant Opportunities and recommendations?
Yes! Our annual International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference offers groundbreaking access to the latest developments and research in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder. Click here to learn more.

How can I volunteer?
There are many ways to get involved with Feeding Matters. The generosity of our volunteer lay leaders and clinical leaders contributes to more positive outcomes for children with PFD. Whether you’re looking to join an event, volunteer your time, or donate funds, click here to learn how to get involved.

We always welcome new volunteers to our peer-to-peer mentoring program, Power of Two.