Expert on ARFID?
Lori Wischnewsky
Aley O'Mara
Registered Dietitian, RD
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Aley O'Mara, PhD (they/them/theirs/themself)
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Sent: Friday, December 19, 2025 9:43 AM
To: CANVAS - CAN Virtual Association of Scholars <can-c...@collegeautismnetwork.org>
Subject: [CANVAS] Expert on ARFID?
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Florencia Ardon
Hello,
No expert here, but students in my groups and I have spoken to the group at Cornell that focuses on this. It’s a group of dieticians, nutritionists and psychologists and mental health professionals. We mentioned this to them, and I’d like to put it out there for everyone’s consideration when supporting students with dietary issues. ARFID tends to be seen as purely psychological and treatments seem based on increasing exposure level over time (basically, getting used to the flavor or whatever).
I think more research is needed in relation to sensory issues. Many neurodivergent people have hypersensitivity to smell, taste, texture, and more. People diagnosed with ARFID or pre-ARFID may fall in this group. I don’t see how subjecting them to torture leads to enjoying food.
The other sensory piece is interoception. They may feel full earlier than what expected, so stop eating after a few bites.
I’ve been reading a ton on this because I’m writing a book on learning in college for ND students, and I’m more and more convinced that it many times “ARFID” is really sensory differences and the answer is not to force them to eat what we think they should eat.
In my personal life-my ex was always labeled as a “picky eater.” His mom was a great cook, there was always nutritious food (so exposure was not an issue), and they forced him to stay sitting at the table until he finished his food. And guess what, he’s still unable to stand the smell of tomatoes and cannot eat a ton of food because of texture issues.
Both of my kids (AuDHDer and ADHDer) are mostly carnivores. My ex kept trying his mom’s approach with my daughter especially and it just made her miserable. I’ve left both my kids mostly alone, having them try new foods at their own rate, and giving them supplements. My daughter (17) is now very adventurous and loves trying out new food, and cooks very often. My son (19) is also eager to try new food.
And I, there have always been types of food I don’t like (like onion) and did experience some anxiety; for example a mom’s friend always had veggie soup with some vegetables I didn’t like and I struggled and failed to eat it. She would blend it for me and that worked. I developed intolerance (maybe celiac’s, long story), to gluten, later on to lactose, and several fodmaps – I cannot eat apple and I live in NYS! It’s the biggest frustration ever because I LOVE apples. It is difficult for me to find ways that I can eat vegetables without serious GI issues.
So, I do understand being very worried about it. But I think the approach most commonly taken leads to torture and doesn’t even work.
If you read up to here, thank you 😃 for reading my rant.
Flor
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Florencia (Flor) Ardon, PhD |
She| Her | Hers
Stephen H. Weiss Provost’s Teaching Fellow
Study Skills Lecturer & Neurodivergent Student Support Program Manager, Learning Strategies Center
Neurodiversity @ Cornell lead | Advisor, Student Neurodiversity Alliance at Cornell
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https://lsc.cornell.edu/neurodiversity-at-cornell/ | https://blogs.cornell.edu/neurodiversity/
Celebrated identities: ADHDer, Dyscalculic, Latina, Woman of Color, Immigrant, First Gen
Lori Wischnewsky
Florencia Ardon
My workday may look different from yours. Please answer at a time that supports your wellbeing.
Florencia (Flor) Ardon, PhD | She| Her | Hers
Study Skills Lecturer & Neurodivergent Student Support Program Manager, Learning Strategies Center
Neurodiversity @ Cornell lead | Advisor, Student Neurodiversity Alliance at Cornell
Celebrated identities: ADHDer, Latina, Woman of Color, Immigrant, First Gen
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2025 10:41:55 AM
To: Florencia Ardon <fa...@cornell.edu>
Cc: Aley O'Mara <aley....@sunyempire.edu>; CANVAS - CAN Virtual Association of Scholars <can-c...@collegeautismnetwork.org>