“At three, Arlo was living on milk and yoghurt. “He would hold his mouth, push things away or run off. You could see anxiety in his face,” says Jacques. “If I was cooking, he’d find the smell unbearable. You were constantly walking on eggshells. Then in December 2022, a paediatrician mentioned Arfid — avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. When the couple researched it, Arlo ticked almost every box. But their GP hadn’t heard of it and their NHS trust didn’t diagnose it in anyone under eight. “I was like, ‘How can you leave a three-year-old not eating?’ ” says Jacques. In desperation, they went private. Arlo was given a diagnosis immediately.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can learn more about various care options here. EDRC provides support groups and maintains a comprehensive directory of specialized treatment providers in the Bay Area. You can also support EDRC’s mission further by making a tax deductible donation.
