Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder from early childhood to preadolescence: clinical assessment and treatment

Objectives: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in DSM-5 has replaced Feeding Disorder of Infancy or Early Childhood in DSM-IV. It has expanded the earlier more limited diagnostic criteria by introducing 3 main categories and by applying the criteria to individuals of all ages. The new criteria describe an eating or feeding disturbance that is characterized by e.g. apparent lack or interest in eating or food; avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food; concern about aversive consequences of eating. This workshop will clarify how to diagnose and treat the three different subtypes of ARFID at different ages. Methods: Drs. Chatoor and Lucarelli will present research, clinical cases, and videos demonstrating the longitudinal course of toddlers with “apparent lack of interest in food” into preadolescence, those with and without specific treatment. They will clarify the diagnosis of each of the three subtypes of ARFID at different ages and highlight the importance of specific treatments for each of the subtypes, including parent training, play therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. Results: The research shows continuation of symptoms of ARFID, when untreated, and highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: The new diagnosis ARFID has expanded the spectrum of feeding/eating disorders that can be diagnosed and treated at different ages.