ARFID and Autism: Why Eating Can Feel So Hard

ARFID stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It’s an eating disorder that causes someone to avoid certain foods or eat very little overall, not because of concerns about weight or body image, but because eating itself feels difficult. For many autistic individuals, ARFID is linked to sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and a strong preference for routine. These challenges can make eating feel overwhelming, distressing, or even physically painful.

People with autism often experience the world through a heightened sensory lens. This can mean that the texture, smell, taste, or appearance of certain foods is too intense. For example, a soft food might feel “slimy,” or a strong smell might trigger a gag reflex. What may seem like a minor discomfort to someone else can feel unbearable to someone with heightened sensory sensitivity. This isn’t being “picky”—it’s a real and valid sensory experience that impacts their ability to eat.

Many autistic individuals also experience difficulties with interoception, which is the ability to recognize internal body signals such as hunger, fullness, thirst, or discomfort. If someone doesn’t feel hunger clearly or can’t tell when they’re full, they may forget to eat, skip meals, or avoid eating altogether without realizing the toll it’s taking on their body. Pair this with anxiety, perfectionism, or a fear of trying new foods, and meals can quickly become a source of stress.

ARFID can show up in a number of ways. Some people eat a very limited number of “safe” foods and become distressed if those foods aren’t available. Others may avoid entire food groups based on texture or temperature. In children and teens, this may lead to stalled growth, nutritional deficiencies, or trouble socializing around meals. In adults, it can result in fatigue, anxiety, and ongoing health concerns. Social events that involve food may be avoided, leading to isolation or shame.

It’s important to understand that ARFID is not a choice, and it’s not something that can be “fixed” with pressure, punishment, or being forced to try new foods. Treatment must be respectful, collaborative, and tailored to each individual’s unique needs. For autistic individuals, this often means a therapy approach that is sensory-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and focused on building trust, not control.

Therapy can help increase awareness of body cues, reduce anxiety around food, and gradually build flexibility through gentle exposure to new foods and mealtime routines. We may also develop tools to help navigate overwhelming situations, enhance communication about food preferences, and support caregivers in preparing meals that are more predictable and less stressful.

If you or your child is struggling with ARFID and autism, you are not alone. With patience, understanding, and the right kind of support, it is absolutely possible to create a more peaceful relationship with food—one that honors both the body’s needs and the brain’s unique wiring.