Selective eating
Is it just picky eating? Or is it more than that? Do you worry that your child is getting enough variety or enough full stop? Our Paediatric Dietician will spend time looking at the foods your child will eat, their meal and snack patterns and look at how we can gradually increase the variety of accepted foods.
What it is
Typical selective eating involves a normal-range diet limited to favourite foods, with intact growth and no broader functional impact. ARFID is characterised by significant restriction (number, volume or category of foods) plus one of: weight loss / faltering growth, nutritional deficiency, dependence on supplements, or marked psychosocial impact. ARFID is common in autistic children and in children with sensory processing differences.
Symptoms and signs
- Strong food preferences with refusal of broad food groups.
- Sensory-led food refusal (texture, smell, appearance, brand-specific).
- Anxiety, gagging or vomiting on exposure to new foods.
- Faltering growth, micronutrient deficiency, or dependence on a small number of "safe" foods.
- Family mealtime distress, school-day refusal to eat, social-event avoidance.
How we investigate
Structured feeding history, growth and developmental review, sensory and autism-spectrum screening where appropriate, bloods for micronutrient deficiency (FBC, ferritin, vitamin D, B12, folate, zinc).
Treatment options at The Vesey
- Reassurance and structured advice for typical fussy eating — most cases resolve.
- Multidisciplinary ARFID pathway — paediatrics, dietetics, speech-and-language and clinical psychology working together.
- Sensory-led feeding support — with our partner paediatric OT team.
- Micronutrient supplementation where deficiency is identified.
- Family mealtime strategies — practical, low-pressure, evidence-based.
- Onward referral to autism diagnostic services or specialist ARFID services where indicated.
What is the difference between ARFID and normal picky eating? +
Typical picky eating involves preferences and some refusals but does not significantly affect growth, nutrition or family function. ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is diagnosed when restriction causes weight loss or faltering growth, nutritional deficiency, dependence on supplements, or significant psychosocial impact. The distinction matters because ARFID requires specialist input.
What age is it appropriate to seek help for selective eating? +
There is no minimum age. In infants and toddlers, early dietetic input can prevent entrenched food refusal. School-age children with ARFID benefit from structured assessment before avoidance patterns become fixed. Referral at any age is appropriate if growth, nutrition or quality of life is affected.
Can autism or sensory processing differences cause ARFID? +
Yes. ARFID is significantly more common in autistic children and those with sensory processing differences. Texture, temperature, colour, smell and brand-consistency are common sensory drivers. A combined paediatric, dietetic and occupational therapy approach works best; food therapy that pushes exposure without addressing sensory needs can make things worse.
Will my child need to eat new foods at the appointment? +
No. The initial assessment is a structured conversation and history-taking. We want to understand what your child currently eats, the family mealtime environment, growth trajectory and any nutritional gaps. No food exposure is expected at the first visit. A tailored, low-pressure plan is developed over time, at your child's pace.
Pricing at a glance
Initial paediatric consultation £260 (60-minute slot). Paediatric dietetics from £180. Micronutrient panel from £150. Multidisciplinary follow-up packages on quotation. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book if your child's eating is causing growth, nutrition or family-life concerns, if you suspect ARFID, or you want a structured second opinion on whether your child needs specialist input.
Cost and pathway
Initial paediatric consultation £260 (60-minute slot). Paediatric dietetics from £180. Micronutrient panel from £150. Multidisciplinary follow-up packages on quotation.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our paediatric team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.88/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
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Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727