ARFID - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake disorder

ARFID is an eating disorder recognised in the DSM-V

Diagnosis is associated with at least one of the following;

(1) Significant weight loss (or failure to achieve weight gain/physical growth in children);

(2) Significant nutritional deficiency;

(3) Dependence on tube feeding (supplying nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract) or oral nutritional supplements;

(4) Marked interference on an individual’s psychosocial functioning (e.g., impacts on daily activities).

Diagnosis is made if symptoms are not better explained by a concurrent medical condition (e.g., allergies, intolerances, other medical conditions), other mental illness (including other eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa), a lack of available food or a cultural practice (e.g., Ramadan). ARFID differs from picky or fussy eating, which is common in childhood and generally resolves over time (e.g., food neophobia). Source; (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders-a-z/arfid/)

https://www.peacepathway.org/

https://butterfly.org.au/eating-disorders-body-image/eating-disorders-explained/arfid/

https://connected.anzaed.org.au/Connected/Connected/Find-Eating-Disorder-Help/Find-Eating-Disorder-Help.aspx

For parents short screen; https://mccaed.slam.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Short-ARFID-Screen-Parent-fillable-NEDIC-version.pdf

For parents - long screen 

https://www.feedingmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PARDI-AR-Q-Parent-4.pdf

Screening tools are not a diagnosis but can be be taken to your health professional to identify if  there is a need for further assessment and referrals

Currently ARFID diagnoses do not qualify for the Medicare eating disorder care plans to see dietitian and Psychology. To see a dietitian related to your ARFID diagnosis support can be provided through NDIS funding if nutrition challenges you experience are related to your disability and are part of your NDIS goals eg. sensory preferences, regulation, executive functioning, interoception. Otherwise accessing services privately with extra healthcare cover or asking your GP about a CDM Medicare plan or paedeatrician or other specialist about the M10 Medicare plan for a rebate for dietitian services. See more on the services page.