Indicators Used to Identify ARFID: A Cross-Sectional Study with Professionals in Spain.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) often co-occurs with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Accurate detection and assessment of ARFID in ASD populations present significant challenges.
• Understanding professional perspectives is crucial for improving diagnostic practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze terminology and professional views on ARFID features in Spanish professionals working with autistic individuals.
• To identify knowledge gaps and training needs related to ARFID assessment.
• To explore interprofessional differences in ARFID recognition.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 194 Spanish professionals (speech therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists).
• Participants completed a 13-item questionnaire on ARFID terminology, definitions, and indicative features.
• Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were used to examine interprofessional variations.

Main Results:

• Significant interprofessional differences were observed (p < 0.001).
• Psychologists demonstrated higher familiarity with DSM-5 criteria, while speech therapists and occupational therapists focused on sensory/behavioral aspects.
• A majority (61%) expressed uncertainty regarding ARFID criteria, and only 34% knew validated assessment tools.

Conclusions:

• Spanish professionals exhibit heterogeneous and limited understanding of ARFID features in ASD.
• Discipline-specific approaches to ARFID assessment are prevalent.
• There is a clear need for structured training and validated Spanish-adapted instruments for early and accurate ARFID identification.