Neurodiversity: ARFID & PICA Explained

Food regression is common in toddlers and often links to illness, teething, constipation, tiredness, growth spurts, or changes in routine. In scenarios like this, we would usually focus on lowering pressure and rebuilding predictability.

Offer regular meals and snacks and keep mealtimes calm and short. Serve the family food plus 1 to 2 safe foods so there is always something they can manage. Avoid bribing, bargaining, or chasing bites, as this can increase anxiety and refusal. Let your child decide whether and how much to eat.

Keep gentle exposure going without demands: seeing the food, touching it, or helping prep counts. Between meals, offer water and limit grazing. If the food range becomes very small, distress is high, or you are worried about growth, speak to your GP, Health Visitor, or a registered dietitian.

If referrals are declined due to age, it is not always because nothing can be done. Sometimes there is no locally funded service for that need at that age, which is usually a system leadership issue, not an individual clinician’s choice. In these scenarios, consider asking for the reason in writing and which pathway does cover under-fives locally. Common starting points include your Health Visitor, GP, nursery SENCO, and Community Paediatrics, who can coordinate support and re-refer if appropriate.

If feeding, communication, sensory needs, or behaviour are part of the picture, consider whether a joined-up plan is needed across services, including dietetics and Early Years support. Keep brief notes on concerns, triggers, and impact to support re-referral. Seek urgent medical advice for dehydration, frequent choking, rapid weight loss, or safety concerns.