Urgent: 9-Year-Old Boy Overcomes Extreme Food Aversion, ARFID Suspected

UPDATE: A nine-year-old boy from Abingdon, UK, has made remarkable strides in overcoming a severe food aversion condition suspected to be ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). Arlo Powncenby, who had been limited to just four foods for seven years, has begun trying new foods after a series of hypnotherapy sessions that started in March 2023.

Arlo’s restrictive diet consisted mainly of Shreddies for breakfast, pancakes for lunch, and a nine-piece McDonald’s chicken nugget meal for dinner. His mother, Steff Powncenby, revealed that this regimen began when Arlo was just two years old, coinciding with his autism diagnosis. “It was like he just stopped wanting to eat normal food,” Steff explained, highlighting the emotional toll this has taken on their family.

Steff, a mother of four, faced significant challenges associated with Arlo’s eating habits. She recalled peculiar stares from shoppers as she bought dozens of Shreddies each week. “Whenever we saw family and friends, I’d have to take food with me,” she said. Despite numerous attempts to introduce new foods, Arlo would refuse to try anything outside his limited menu.

At his worst, Arlo consumed over 27 chicken nuggets weekly and could polish off two boxes of Shreddies in one sitting. His diet was so specific that when his favorite cheese pizza was discontinued, he could tell it wasn’t the same just by looking at it.

Recognizing the need for professional help, Steff sought out hypnotherapist David Kilmurry, who specializes in eating disorders. After just seven sessions, Arlo began tasting new foods for the first time in seven years. “Within the first session, Arlo had tried new foods, which we didn’t think would happen,” Steff said, describing Kilmurry as “the most incredible man I’ve ever met.”

The results have been life-changing. Arlo now enjoys fruits like raisins, apples, and blackberries, as well as vegetables and even had lamb chops for dinner recently. “He’s managed to have a birthday cake for the first time since he was two, a lemon drizzle cake,” Steff joyfully shared.

Hypnotherapist David Kilmurry praised Arlo as a “young hero” for his progress. He noted that Arlo’s previous diet of bland foods contributed to sleep issues and anxiety. “Over the course of the program, Arlo hasn’t just overcome ARFID; he’s learned to eat freely,” Kilmurry commented.

Steff emphasizes that the journey is still ongoing, with Arlo gradually expanding his lunch and dinner options. “We’re still working on the dinner; we give him spaghetti bolognese,” she explained. The family’s experiences highlight the wider implications of ARFID, which can severely limit families’ dining options and vacation plans.

As Arlo’s story gains attention, it sheds light on the struggles many families face with restrictive eating habits and the potential for recovery through innovative therapies like hypnotherapy. His progress serves as an inspiring reminder that with the right support, overcoming food aversions is possible, offering hope to others in similar situations.

Stay tuned for further updates on this remarkable journey as Arlo continues to expand his culinary horizons.