ARFID & Extreme Picky Eating Screener for Kids

A free, evidence-based screener to help you identify potential indicators and risk factors of ARFID and extreme picky eating in minutes.

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Child with ARFID and Extreme Picky Eating

Signs of ARFID and extreme picky eating often go far beyond typical mealtime struggles. It can look like texture sensitivity, fear of new foods, lack of appetite, or the list of foods they will eat keeps getting shorter. 

If you’re wondering if your child’s picky eating is typical or something more, you are not overreacting. And you are not alone. 

Mobile Pediatric Screener for ARFID & Extreme Picky Eating

Instant Answers You’ve Been Looking For

The Pediatric Screener for ARFID and Extreme Picky Eating (PSA-Eat) is a new, clinically-grounded screener that provides immediate answers about whether your child’s eating habits show signs or risk factors of ARFID, extreme picky eating.

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Understanding ARFID in Kids

ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) is a feeding condition where a child’s limited diet goes beyond picky eating. It’s not a phase, a parenting failure, or a behavior choice. It’s an eating disorder that can affect a child’s growth, health, nutrition, and social and emotional wellbeing.. 

The earlier ARFID is identified, the more options families have. A screener isn’t a diagnosis, but it gives you concrete next steps to help your child’s eating.

SmallBites Kids Eat in Color Newsletter Picky Eating Resources

Assess your child’s picky eating now, so you can treat or prevent eating problems earlier than ever.

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Developed by a Team of Credentialed Specialists

The PSA-Eat is based on the latest research and decades of experience.

  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Eating Disorder Treatment
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Nutrition
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Eating Disorder Treatment
  • Gastroenterology
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Frequently Asked Questions

This screener does not provide a medical diagnosis. The results area be a valuable tool to understanding your child’s eating.  If you have questions or wish to seek a diagnosis, we encourage you to discuss them with your child’s healthcare provider.

Click Here to learn more about how to treat ARFID.

ARFID is an eating disorder and results in children eating insufficient food or variety. Symptoms can include:

  • Having a small or shrinking list of foods they will eat due to texture or sensory issues
  • Low appetite
  • Anxiety about food

Kids with ARFID may

  • Struggle to maintain growth curves and nutrition
  • Have to bring their own food with them everywhere
  • Have anxiety about eating or feel socially isolated

Typical picky eating, however, is less severe. Kids who are just picky can

  • Easily eat enough variety and amount to meet their growth and nutrient needs
  • Try new foods after seeing them several times
  • Participate in eating related to social experiences and travel

Click Here to learn more about ARFID and how it differs from Picky Eating.

Once you get your results, we provide you with next step recommendations. These could include, seeking out a health evaluation or diagnosis, or joining a family behavior change program. We encourage you to share your PSA-Eat results with your provider to discuss your options.

We also provide many helpful resources you can send to your Healthcare Providers, including accredited ARFID & Extreme Picky Eating continuing education courses, pediatric target weight estimators, and other helpful resources

Click Here for Healthcare Provider resources.

The Pediatric Screener for ARFID and Extreme Picky Eating can be used for any age. For infants under the age of one, it can be used to determine risk factors for ARFID and extreme picky eating.

ARFID is considered a “lifespan” diagnosis, which means it doesn’t go away once someone has it. But a person can be restored to health and have no future relapses after a complete physical and psychological recovery.

Click Here to learn more about ARFID recovery in children.

Yes. We never sell or distribute the results of your screener or your personal information to any 3rd party or provider. We highly encourage you to share your PSA-Eat results with your child’s healthcare provider.

Click Here to read our Privacy Policy.

Stop wondering. Get clarity.

You’ve spent months — maybe years — wondering if what you’re seeing is “normal.”
The PSA-Eat will help you get answers and what to do next. 

Stop wondering. Get clarity.

You’ve spent months — maybe years — wondering if what you’re seeing is “normal.” The PSA-Eat will help you get answers and what to do next.Â