The Truth About ARFID: Anxiety, Autism & Food Hypersensitivity

In this episode, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Josephine Neale - Clinical Director for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at the Priory and founder of Neale Health, the UK’s first fully online child and adolescent psychiatry service - joins Ben to unpack ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a condition many people have never heard of but is increasingly recognised in autistic and ADHD individuals. Josephine explains that ARFID isn’t about weight or body image, but driven by four key subtypes: sensory discomfort, fear and anxiety (often around choking or vomiting), low appetite, or a combination of these. Drawing on her specialist work across autism, ADHD, and eating disorders, she breaks down why ND people experience food so differently, why ARFID is still often missed, and how eating difficulties can quietly build long before families know what’s happening. This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools - whether you’re navigating ARFID yourself, supporting a young person, or simply trying to better understand ND eating differences. #autism 00:00 Introduction 00:48 Dr Josephine Neale: Her Background in Eating Disorders, Autism & ADHD 7:20 Why Mind & Body Are Often Seen As Separate in Eating Disorders: & Why That Can Be Problematic 11:26 What Is ARFID? (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Explained) 15:01 How Clinicians Assess ARFID 23:35 ARFID in Neurodivergent People: Autism, ADHD & Sensory Profiles 25:29 The Four ARFID Subtypes: Fear, Sensory, Low Appetite & Combined 29:40 What Causes ARFID? Understanding Roots, Triggers & Early Signs 31:13 ARFID Fear Subtype: Anxiety, Choking Fears & Avoidance 32:44 ARFID Low Appetite Subtype: Interoception & Reduced Hunger 34:38 ARFID Sensory Subtype: Texture, Smell, Taste & Food Aversions 48:23 Can ARFID Come and Go? Understanding Episodic Presentations 50:30 Did ARFID Exist Historically? Why Modern Life May Be Increasing Cases 55:36 Christmas & ARFID: How to Support People with Eating Difficulties 1:01:08 ARFID at Someone Else’s House: How Families Can Navigate Christmas Day 1:05:59 Dr Josephine’s Green Dot Badge The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson. Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence. No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence. 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support. To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored. Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains. With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more. Join us at https://www.hidden20.org/donate Become a monthly donor. Be part of our community where great minds think differently. Buy books by our guests, and support The Hidden 20% at the same time: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/hidden-... Host: Ben Branson Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné Video Editor: James Scriven Social Media Manager: Charlie Young Music: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity THE HIDDEN 20% 1203348 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2g80pw5... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Website: https://www.hidden20.org Instagram:   / hidden20charity   TikTok:   / hidden20charity   Ben Branson:   / seedlip_ben   hidden20.org/donate