ARFID GROUP

Do you know or suspect you may have ARFID? (WHAT IS ARFID? | ARFID Awareness UK)

SYEDA has recently been commissioned to offer support for clients with ARFID. The support will be in a group setting and is available to anyone between 16-24 that has a diagnosis of Autism or are on the waiting list to be assessed for Autism. The group will be looking at ways to understand and address ARFID.

The group will be held online for 6 weeks, starting week commencing 17th June 2024.

We ask that you are able to attend all 6 sessions and that you are happy to provide SYEDA with constructive feedback following completion.

Please see details of our referral criteria below:

 We are able to offer assessments to:

  • Clients that meet that are aged between 16 and 24.

  • Clients that have a diagnosis of Autism or are on the waiting list to be assessed for Autism.

  • Clients experiencing difficulty with symptoms related to ARFID.

  • Clients who are not at a severely low weight (ie with a BMI below 17.5 – please feel free to contact us if you are unsure this)

In addition to the above we are unable to offer direct support to clients who:

  • Are at a severely low weight (BMI 17.5 or below) - in this case you need to visit your GP for a referral to Sheffield Eating Disorders Service

  • Are purging (self induced vomiting/laxative abuse) 5 times per week or more. - in this case you need to visit your GP for a referral to Sheffield Eating Disorders Service

  • Are excessively abusing alcohol/substances

  • Are experiencing severe mental health difficulties (Referrals would need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, to determine the suitability for accessing Eating Disorder treatment).

  • Have attempted to take their own life within the last 6 months, or are engaging in serious self-harm/risk taking behaviours.

  • Have received bariatric surgery within the last 6 weeks, or if they are still unable to eat a minimum of 3 solid meals per day. You must also be accessing your GP for monitoring and taking the recommended vitamins and minerals.

  • If it is determined at triage that the client would require more specialised support.

  • Do not have a GP registered in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham or Doncaster.

If you are unsure about any of the referral criteria please contact us to discuss this further.

If you are interested, please follow the below link to access the referral form. Please note as this is a group, we are only able to offer a maximum of 8 - 10 places.



Details of the referral process for this group are detailed below:

1. Client to complete the self-referral form using the link above.

2. Upon receipt SYEDA will be in contact via phone, this will be to discuss your suitability for the course.

3. Following this discussion, if we feel that you are presenting with ARFID and are suitable for the course, SYEDA will arrange for you to be assessed by one of our clinicians.

4. Following the assessment, if we still feel you are suitable for the course, you will be added on to the group to start week commencing 7th June.