76. It’s Not Just Picky Eating - Claire Britton on ARFID – Claire Britton’s Story (Personal Perspective)

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we welcome back one of our most popular guests: Claire Britton – occupational therapist, neurodivergent mum, founder of NeuroInclusion, and one of our favourite humans to talk to.Claire opens up about her lived experience with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)—what it was like growing up with sensory sensitivities, food rigidity, and mealtime stress long before ARFID had a name. She takes us through her personal journey from rigid childhood meals to navigating adult food challenges, relationships, and even discovering new foods through dating (yes, Tinder was involved).This is the episode for any parent who has thought, "My child is eating five foods and refusing everything else—what now?" or any adult who’s starting to realise, "Hang on, maybe this was me too."💡 What We Cover:Claire’s lived experience growing up with ARFID in a neurodivergent familyThe sensory, social, and emotional dynamics of food avoidanceHow ARFID differs from “fussy eating”Cultural expectations around food and how they affect ND familiesThe role of autonomy, safety, and environment in expanding food acceptanceA breakdown of the SOS Feeding Approach (Sequential Oral Sensory)🎧 Referenced Resources:Claire’s previous episodes on Executive Function and Evidence-Based OT StrategiesLearn more about Claire and her services at neuroinclusion.com.auInfo on the SOS Approach to Feeding🔑 Key Takeaway: ARFID isn’t a behaviour problem—it’s a sensory, emotional, and often traumatic relationship with food that requires compassion, patience, and support. Pressure won’t fix it. Understanding will.💬 If this episode resonated with you, let us know! And don’t forget to check out next week’s clinical follow-up with Margot White.JOIN THE COMMUNITY:Have questions or want to connect with other ADHD mums? Join our supportive Facebook group here and dive into the conversation. No question is too small, and I love answering in a group format!FOLLOW FOR MORE:Get daily tips, insights, and relatable content for ADHD mums by following me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTubeLEAVE A REVIEW:Love this episode? Your review means everything! It helps other mums find this content and feel supported. Let’s spread the word and make a difference together.COLLABS:For collaborations or speaking engagements, email me at [email protected]. MORE RESOURCES:Still unsure if ADHD or autism applies to you or your child? Take my recommended self-tests here.TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:ARFID, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, ADHD and ARFID, Autism and ARFID, sensory food challenges, picky eating vs. ARFID, feeding therapy, food anxiety, neurodivergent eating challenges, eating disorders and neurodivergence, adult ARFID experience, childhood ARFID, sensory sensitivities and food, autism and eating struggles, executive function and eating, food aversions, meal-time anxiety, ADHD food struggles, autism-friendly food strategies, supporting kids with ARFID, ARFID treatment, OT perspective on ARFID, neurodivergent food therapy, eating challenges in autism and ADHD, sensory-friendly eating tips, navigating ARFID as a parent, managing food anxiety in children, ARFID signs and symptoms, Claire Britton ARFID, ADHD Mums podcast ARFID, neurodivergent feeding strategies.Mentioned in this episode:ADHD Pre Diagnosis Workbook for Women and MothersIf you’ve ever wondered whether your ADHD traits are changing - or if you’ve been questioning whether you have ADHD at all - understanding how it actually shows up for you is the first step. That’s exactly why I created the ADHD Pre-Diagnosis Workbook, a tool designed to help women and mums navigate this journey before even stepping into a psychiatrist’s office.ADHD Pre-Diagnosis WorbookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.