Many children struggle with “picky eating”. When eating habits become too restrictive and start to impact a child’s growth, development, and functioning in everyday activities, this can be understood as Avoidant Restrictive/Intake Food Disorder. There are many different factors that impact how and why a child struggles with restrictive eating behaviours. Previous research has identified low appetite, low variety (typically related to sensory sensitivities), and fear or anxiety related to eating as three primary subtypes of this disorder. Our study is reviewing the characteristics of clients and families who are seen at SSCY and Health Sciences Centre for help with restricted eating behaviours and how well they fit into these previously identified subtypes. By understanding the characteristics of clients and families who have been seen through psychology at SSCY and the types of services they have received prior to their involvement psychology, we hope to be able to tailor and create treatment services that are patient-centered and individualized to the needs of different clients presenting with different feeding concerns.
