Hosted by Autism and ARFID Sub-Groups
The Autism and ARFID Sub-Groups are delighted to be jointly hosting an online study session to support professionals in their understanding and support of autistic ARFID. The content will be relevant to any professional working with and providing services to autistic people of all ages experiencing ARFID or similar eating difficulties. The online session will utilise lived-experience alongside clinical and academic experience to provide neuro-affirming perspectives on supporting autistic ARFID and eating difficulties.
Aims of the study day:
- To deepen understanding of autistic ARFID and eating difficulties from lived, clinical and academic experience
- To present neuro-affirming approaches to supporting ARFID and eating difficulties in autistic people of all ages
- To understand why using typical, neuro-normative approaches may be unhelpful or harmful to autistic people with ARFID and eating difficulties
- To enable attendees to takeaway actionable, neuro-affirming approaches and strategies to support the nutritional and wider wellbeing of autistic people
Speakers
- Naureen Hunani RD, Canadian registered dietitian, RDs for Neurodiversity.
More about Naureen - Naureen is a neurodivergent registered dietitian with 18 years of experience. She supports children and families with a variety of feeding challenges through a trauma-informed, weight-inclusive and anti-oppressive approach. Naureen has extensive experience working with neurodivergent people and has shared her knowledge and experience at national and international conferences. She also delivers courses and training for healthcare professionals, teachers, and therapists. Naureen's goal is to create a community of dietitians and professionals who will work together to improve the lives of neurodivergent people.
Session title - Beyond Neuronormative ARFID Care: Rethinking What Support Can Look Like for Autistic People.
Talk overview - The current conceptualization and treatment of ARFID often rests on neuronormative assumptions about eating, interoception, sensory processing, “flexibility” and what progress should look like. For autistic people, these approaches may be ineffective and oftentimes harmful.
This session critically examines mainstream ARFID modalities across the lifespan, including desensitization, exposure-based interventions, and an emphasis on increasing dietary variety, while exploring how these approaches may overlook sensory experiences, interoception, nervous system safety, autonomy, communication, and disability-related needs.
Through a neurodiversity-affirming and disability justice lens, participants will explore ways to rethink ARFID care by reducing barriers to nourishment, providing meaningful accommodations, supporting autonomy and felt safety, and respecting autistic ways of being.
This session offers practical, actionable strategies to support the nutritional and broader wellbeing of autistic people with ARFID across the lifespan.
- Dr Luke Beardon, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University.
More about Luke - Luke's work in the autism field has spanned several decades in roles which include practitioner, trainer, consultant, researcher and senior lecturer. Luke has spoken at many national and international conferences on a variety of autism related topics and has addressed the UK parliament and the United Nations. He has authored 7 books on autism and co-edited 5 books on autism, along with a number of research publications. Luke has won multiple awards for his work in the autism and teaching fields. He is currently course leader for the PGCert in autism at Sheffield Hallam University where he also supervises doctoral students and is also Section Editor for the ‘Neurodiversity & Mental Health’ Section of PLOS Journal.
- Annalise Ayres, ARFID Expert by Lived Experience (plus Oliver McGowan Autism and Learning Disabilities Training Facilitator).
More about Annalise - Annalise is an autism and ARFID expert by lived experience and an Oliver McGowan Autism and Learning Disabilities Training Facilitator. After many years of eating difficulties and misdiagnosis, Annalise received late ARFID and autism diagnoses which gave her understanding and acceptance of her eating differences and challenges. Annalise currently works in a specialist education setting and has additional lived-experience through supporting autistic children and young people with eating difficulties and ARFID. Annalise has previously worked with the Authentistic Research Collective, co-producing guidelines for adapting psychological therapies for autistic people.
Talk overview - Annalise will share her journey from young childhood, through decades of eating difficulties, to finally receiving a late ARFID diagnosis. Her talk will explore the impact of the diverse treatments and diagnoses received over time, including a late diagnosis of autism. Annalise will also encompass helpful approaches from professionals since her ARFID diagnosis, and how educating herself about ARFID along with how it affects her has brought acceptance, and enabled her to live a healthier life alongside ARFID.
- Michelle Jacques, ARFID Advocate and Expert by Experience.
More about Jacques - Michelle is a parent to an autistic son with ARFID who is tube fed. She is a prominent ARFID advocate and founder of ARFID Life UK, a platform dedicated to raising awareness and supporting families affected by ARFID. Michelle also co-hosts the podcast "3 Mums 1 Mission- ARFID". Michelle and her son have recently written and published a picture book for children living with ARFID - The Tiger Who Eats Differently.
Talk overveiew - Michelle will share her lived experience of supporting autism and ARFID, as a parent and advocate. Michelle will outline the challenges and successes her family have experienced with their tube feeding journey. The talk will provide understanding of the practical realities of autistic people and families living with ARFID and the support that helps.
The online study session will be recorded and made available to all delegates after the event.
Cost
For our lower-cost activities, we encourage payment by card wherever possible. Invoice processing can take considerable time in many organisations and often requires additional follow-up for outstanding payments. We understand that card payment is not always possible, but we would be grateful if you could use this method whenever you can.
Early bird rates up to 31 July 2026:-
- Autism or ARFID Sub-Group members, Students and SENR members £25
- Paediatric or Mental Health Specialist Group members £50
- BDA members £50
- Other professionals £75
From 1 August 2026, the below pricing will apply:-
- Autism or ARFID Sub-Group members, Students and SENR members £35
- Paediatric or Mental Health Specialist Group members £65
- BDA members £65
- Other professionals £95
Admin code: SLA
