Feeding Therapy Awareness Month

A month raising awareness of feeding differences and ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), which is significantly more common in autistic people. Eating differences in autism are sensory-based, not behavioral, and deserve specialized support.

History

Feeding therapy awareness efforts have grown alongside ARFID research. ARFID was added to the DSM-5 in 2013, providing diagnostic language for restrictive eating not driven by body image. Feeding therapy for autistic children has become a specialized field.

How to Participate

• →Learn about ARFID and how it differs from picky eating
• →Understand that eating differences in autism are sensory-driven — not willful
• →Avoid pressure-based feeding strategies — they typically worsen food anxiety
• →Seek occupational therapists and feeding specialists trained in sensory-based approaches
• →Connect with ARFID support communities for families

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