ARFID Assessments

Does your child eat a very limited range of foods, find certain textures or smells overwhelming, fear choking or vomiting, or show little interest in eating?

When eating difficulties affect everyday life, knowing where to turn can be difficult.

Our Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) assessment pathway explores your child’s eating experiences, developmental history and the impact on their health, wellbeing, school and family life.

We consider whether ARFID may explain their difficulties, alongside other possible causes and any additional assessment they may need.

Our ARFID pathway is led by Dr Adeel Khan

Dr Adeel Khan, Psychiatrist and Medical Lead, holds clinical leadership and oversight of the ARFID assessment pathway, including diagnostic formulation and final report approval.

What your assessment includes

• A detailed feeding and developmental history.

• Exploration of food variety, quantity, sensory experiences and eating-related fears.

• Consideration of emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.

• Review of relevant information from family, school and healthcare professionals, where available and with appropriate consent.

• Clinical feedback and a written assessment report.

• Individual recommendations for home, school and onward care.

Eating difficulties do not automatically mean ARFID. Assessment helps us understand possible explanations and identify appropriate next steps.

Where physical health concerns are identified, we will advise on the need for medical assessment. Our assessment does not replace physical examination, nutritional monitoring or urgent medical care.