ARFID: An Introduction to Diagnosis and Management

COURSE OVERVIEW

Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is characterised by a pattern of eating that avoids certain foods or food groups entirely and/or is restricted in quantity. It is a relatively new eating disorder, that was first recognised in the DSM-V criteria in 2013, and therefore research around appropriate management is evolving. ARFID sufferers may need support from a multidisciplinary team including a psychologist, dietitian, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist and physician.

The course will provide education on the journey of ARFID, from diagnosis, to assessment and management, incorporating up-to-date research in this area, as well as information on practical management. It will cultivate the imagination of participants through creative, thought-provoking opportunities for engagement, using a range of learning opportunities including toolkits, quizzes and online discussions to reinforce knowledge acquisition and application in practice.

This course has been created in partnership with ARFID Awareness UK and the University of Winchester, by a multidisciplinary team with experience in practice, higher education and active in research. It intends to provide a reliable source of contemporary information on nutrition and ARFID related health care issues for Health Care Professionals.

Dr Rosan Meyer (BSc (Hons) Diet, MSc Nutrition, PhD)

Dr. Rosan Meyer is a clinical academic paediatric dietitian, holding honorary Senior Lecturer status at Imperial College London, as well as Visiting Professor status at Leuven University, Belgium.  She currently teaches on the Allergy MSc, Imperial College London, the MSc on Deglutology, KU Leuven and is an international guest speaker at conferences. She sees patients with ARFID in her clinic and is a trustee of ARFID Awareness Charity in the United Kingdom.

Dr Gillian Harris (Phd, MSc, Ba, AFBPsS, C.Psychol)

Dr Gillian Harris has carried out research into infant and child feeding behaviour and appetite regulation at the University of Birmingham, School of Psychology, UK, where she now holds an honorary fellowship. Her specific research and clinical interest is the development of food acceptance and rejection in early infancy and early childhood. She is widely published and has been awarded multiple research grants to support her research. She now jointly runs a private service for children and adults with ARFID. She is a trustee of ARFID Awareness UK.

Sarah Mason (MSc, MPhil, MRCSLT)

Sarah Mason is a speech and language therapist who has worked in the field of childhood feeding problems, primarily at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, UK, and latterly freelance as part of Birmingham Food Refusal Services (BFRS). This is a service that provides consultancy and training for professionals and parents of children with feeding difficulties, including Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. She a trustee of the ARFID Awareness UK charity.

Accreditation

This course has been endorsed by the British Dietetic Association (BDA) for 5 hours of continuing professional development. On completion of the course, participants will be issued a certificate of completion from the University. The course is open to those in and outside the UK.