Having a Little With ARFID Means...
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) […] is a type of eating disorder in which people eat only within an extremely narrow repertoire of foods. This avoidance may be based on appearance, smell, taste, texture, brand, presentation, or a past negative experience with the food, to a point that may lead to nutritional deficiencies or other negative health outcomes. (Source)
Learning what their safe foods are and always having some of them stocked up
Never ever forcing them to try a new food (ex. “c’mon, just one bite”, don’t do this. Not to people with ARFID, not to picky eaters, not to anyone. Here’s an article on why “just one bite” is a bad thing to do)
Understanding that ARFID is not just picky eating or extreme preference. It’s a disorder often accompanied by real and true fear
Encouraging them to eat at least one meal a day (But never forcing them to)
Making sure they take any vitamins or supplements that they need (Remember, texture may be an issue with these too. Vitamins come in all forms, pills, gummies, liquid, help them find one that works best with their specifics)
Helping them find variants of their safe foods (ex. Is their safe texture cold and crunchy foods? Help your little scour the internet for all kinds of recipes for foods and meals that are cold and crunchy! Bonus points if they are high-calorie)
Reminding them how proud you are of them whenever they eat a meal or try something new
Remembering that “trying something new” may mean something different to them than it does to you (ex. trying something new usually means something that you have never ever had before, but for them maybe it means the same thing in a different variety. Like a different texture of crackers or a different shape)
Learning what their unsafe or fear foods are and never ever forcing them to eat any of those foods. If they ever decide to give them a try again then it has to be their choice. No one knows your littles limits better than they do.
Never, ever punishing them for not eating or for eating very little. This will only cause them to eat even less. Not to mention punishing a little for having a disorder is abusive.
Understanding that they are doing their very best! Can you imagine how terrible it would be if eating was something scary and exhausting? What looks like a little snack to you might be like climbing Mount Everest to them. Try to put yourself in their shoes whenever you start to get frustrated, it may be hard for you but it’s also hard for them too. Patience is the key! And always encourage them to see a professional who can help them with safe and healthy coping mechanisms!