Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) presents particular complexity in autistic children and young people, where sensory sensitivities, anxiety, rigidity, and medical concerns frequently overlap. This advanced three-hour online event brings together leading experts to explore assessment, differential diagnosis, and formulation in this high-risk clinical group.
Speakers will address how to distinguish ARFID from typical autistic eating patterns, when to intervene, and how to adapt evidence-based approaches. Practical case examples and cross-disciplinary perspectives will support clinicians working in CAMHS, eating disorder, neurodevelopmental and paediatric settings.
Booking
Sign up at this link or on the Book Now button at the top of the screen, and complete the form that follows. You’ll then receive an email confirmation and a link to the webinar, plus we’ll send you a calendar reminder nearer the time. Delegates will have exclusive access to recordings for 90 days after the event, together with slides. Plus you will get a personalised CPD/CME certificate via email.
- ACAMH Members MUST login to book onto the webinar in order to access this webinar and get a CPD/CME certificate
- Non-members this is a great time to join ACAMH, take a look at what we have to offer, and make the saving on these sessions
EARLY BIRD £89 (until 23/04/26, then £119) for ACAMH Members (Print, Online, Concession) Join now and save
EARLY BIRD £119 (until 23/04/26, then £149) ACAMH Learn Account holders
EARLY BIRD £119 (until 23/04/26, then £149) Non Members
£10 ACAMH Undergraduate/Postgraduate Members
LIC Members free
Don’t forget as a charity any surplus made is reinvested back as we work to our vision of ‘Sharing best evidence, improving practice’, and our mission to ‘Improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 0-25’.
About the sessions
Dr. Elizabeth Shea – Understanding and Working with ARFID in Autism and Neurodivergence
It is widely recognised that eating challenges such as ARFID are frequently reported in autistic and neurodivergent children and young people. However, despite this frequency, the eating presentations of this group are often poorly understood and there are currently no national guidelines for clinical practice specifically with these groups. In addition, clinical experience suggests that these eating challenges are often complex, intersectional and risky when compared to non-autistic/neurodivergent peers and present a challenge for service delivery, not least in providing appropriately adapted and evidence-based strategies for intervention. Underpinned by research literature, clinical practice-based evidence and the lived experience of children and young people, this presentation will enable participants to better understand ARFID within the context of autism and neurodivergence. In particular, to learn about the developmental trajectory of ARFID within these young people, gain practical knowledge of effective interventions and increase confidence when working with this group.
Learning outcomes
- To understand the connections between ARFID, autism and neurodivergence.
- To be familiar with typical developmental trajectories and presentations of ARFID in autistic and neurodivergent children and young people.
- To gain knowledge and skills in delivering effective interventions for this group.
Who should attend
The primary audience for this session would be; clinicians (clinical psychologists, CAMHS psychiatrists, eating disorder clinicians, CBT therapists), allied health professionals, dietitians, Medical (non-psychiatry, like Paediatricians). This may also be of interest to those in social care and family support (Early help practitioners), and ducation professionals (School-based mental health leads)
Programme
2:00pm Dr. Rachel Bryant-Waugh – Presentation
2:45pm Q&A
2:55pm Zoe Connor
3:40pm Q&A
3:50pm Break
4:05pm Dr. Elizabeth Shea
4:50pm Q&A
5:00pm Close
About the speakers
Dr. Rachel Bryant-Waugh is an experienced eating disorders clinician and researcher, based at the Maudsley Hospital and Kings College London. She is recognised internationally as a leading expert on ARFID, having sat on both the DSM-5 and the ICD-11 diagnostic workgroups and maintained a high level of related activity since its introduction. Rachel was National Clinical Adviser for the establishment of England’s young people’s Eating Disorder Pathway and led the National ARFID Pilot. She has won national and international awards for her contributions. Rachel has a longstanding interest in working with autistic people with eating disorders and is passionate about learning from people with lived experience.
Dr. Elizabeth Shea is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has worked with autistic individuals with eating challenges for 25 years. She specialises in the understanding and management of Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Pica (eating of non-foods) and Rumination Disorder. D.r Shea has completed research in these areas, has extensive clinical expertise, delivers national and international training events and has written two commissioned books. Dr. Shea has held senior NHS positions and works with statutory, voluntary and community sector enterprises including as an Advisor to the National Autistic Society (NAS). She is currently writing her latest book on pica and rumination disorder in autism and works in independent practice.
Booking
Sign up at this link or on the Book Now button at the top of the screen, and complete the form that follows. You’ll then receive an email confirmation and a link to the webinar, plus we’ll send you a calendar reminder nearer the time. Delegates will have exclusive access to recordings for 90 days after the event, together with slides. Plus you will get a personalised CPD/CME certificate via email.
- ACAMH Members MUST login to book onto the webinar in order to access this webinar and get a CPD/CME certificate
- Non-members this is a great time to join ACAMH, take a look at what we have to offer, and make the saving on these sessions
EARLY BIRD £89 (until 23/04/26, then £119) for ACAMH Members (Print, Online, Concession) Join now and save
EARLY BIRD £119 (until 23/04/26, then £149) ACAMH Learn Account holders
EARLY BIRD £119 (until 23/04/26, then £149) Non Members
£10 ACAMH Undergraduate/Postgraduate Members
LIC Members free
Don’t forget as a charity any surplus made is reinvested back as we work to our vision of ‘Sharing best evidence, improving practice’, and our mission to ‘Improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people aged 0-25’.