ARFID Clinics

Introducing Our Specialised Multidisciplinary Feeding Clinic for Children

Are you finding it difficult to refer families with complex feeding challenges to the right service? Are you a parent with a child who is not responding to the usual tips and tricks around managing  fussy eating?

At Feeding Happy Kids, we’ve developed a specialised Avoidant/ Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder ( ARFID) & Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) Multidisciplinary Clinic to support children with feeding issues that go beyond typical picky eating.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a condition that causes a young person to limit the amount and type of food that they eat. It isn’t the result of a distorted self-image or an attempt to lose body weight, which is common among other eating disorders.

ARFID can cause you to:

• Lose interest in eating.
• Feel anxious about the consequences of eating, like choking on food or vomiting.
• Avoid foods that have an unwanted colour, taste, texture or smell.

It is considered to be a “selective eating disorder.” This is because the young person may only choose a few things that are OK to eat and or, may also create rituals or patterns of behaviour around the way they eat, like eating your food in a specific order or prepared by a certain person.

ARFID can affect  nutrient intake, which can affect  overall health.

Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction . For these children, every bite of food can be painful, scary, or impossible, potentially impeding nutrition, development, growth, and overall well-being.

Led by Corinne Bonetta, an experienced Speech Pathologist with extensive clinical expertise across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and South East Sydney, our clinic offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to diagnosing and managing complex feeding presentations. Corinne has a special interest in ARFID, PFD, and dysphagia, and is known for her commitment to neurodiversity-affirming, family-centred care.

Our multidisciplinary team also includes:

• Monica Sekowski, Clinical Psychologist with expertise in eating and feeding disorders
• Leah Vandervliet, Accredited Practising Dietitian with a focus on paediatrics and disordered eating

Together, we offer a comprehensive telehealth clinic for children aged 0–12, providing:

• Differential diagnosis of ARFID, PFD, and other feeding or mental health concerns
• Individualised, holistic management plans addressing nutritional, sensory, skill-based, motor, and psychological needs
• Specialised support for neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent children and their families

Our clinic is ideal for professionals or parents looking for a clear and collaborative referral pathway for children with complex feeding challenges.

Use our contact form to make a referral, or call us to find out more.