Why ARFID Is Rising: Autism, ADHD & the Eating Disorder Nobody Talks About
The Hidden 20%
Intro
Ben introduces The Hidden 20% and the episode with Dr Josephine Neale.
In this episode, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr Josephine Neale - Clinical Director for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at the Priory and founder of Neale Health, the UK’s first fully online child and adolescent psychiatry service - joins Ben to unpack ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a condition many people have never heard of but is increasingly recognised in autistic and ADHD individuals.
Josephine explains that ARFID isn’t about weight or body image, but driven by four key subtypes: sensory discomfort, fear and anxiety (often around choking or vomiting), low appetite, or a combination of these.
Drawing on her specialist work across autism, ADHD, and eating disorders, she breaks down why ND people experience food so differently, why ARFID is still often missed, and how eating difficulties can quietly build long before families know what’s happening.
This conversation offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools - whether you’re navigating ARFID yourself, supporting a young person, or simply trying to better understand ND eating differences.
If you would like to support us this Christmas please consider gifting from the below link to spread awareness and carry on the conversation:
https://www.hidden20.org/christmas-grotto
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Host: Ben Branson
Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné
Video Editor: James Scriven
Social Media Manager: Charlie Young
Music: Jackson Greenberg
Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller
00:00 Introduction
00:48 Dr Josephine Neale: Her Background in Eating Disorders, Autism & ADHD
7:20 Why Mind & Body Are Often Seen As Separate in Eating Disorders: & Why That Can Be Problematic
11:26 What Is ARFID? (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Explained)
15:01 How Clinicians Assess ARFID
23:35 ARFID in Neurodivergent People: Autism, ADHD & Sensory Profiles
25:29 The Four ARFID Subtypes: Fear, Sensory, Low Appetite & Combined
29:40 What Causes ARFID? Understanding Roots, Triggers & Early Signs
31:13 ARFID Fear Subtype: Anxiety, Choking Fears & Avoidance
32:44 ARFID Low Appetite Subtype: Interoception & Reduced Hunger
34:38 ARFID Sensory Subtype: Texture, Smell, Taste & Food Aversions
48:23 Can ARFID Come and Go? Understanding Episodic Presentations
50:30 Did ARFID Exist Historically? Why Modern Life May Be Increasing Cases
55:36 Christmas & ARFID: How to Support People with Eating Difficulties
1:01:08 ARFID at Someone Else’s House: How Families Can Navigate Christmas Day
1:05:59 Dr Josephine’s Green Dot Badge
The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson.
Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.
No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.
1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.
To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.
With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.
Join us at hidden20.org/donate.
Become a monthly donor.
Be part of our community where great minds think differently.
Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348
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Follow & subscribe…
Website: www.hidden20.org
Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity
Ben Branson @seedlip_ben
Dr Josephine Neale @drjosephineneale www.nealehealth.com
If you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity.
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