ARFID stands for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Someone with ARFID might avoid eating certain foods or types of food. People with sensory based avoidance, are likely to be sensitive to the taste, texture, smell or appearance of certain food types, and may avoid lumpy textures, strong smells & tastes and off-putting colours or unpredictable forms of food. These can become ‘feared foods’; specific items deemed unsafe or anxiety-inducing by people with ARFID.
Sensory Spoons are utensils designed to make the exposure therapy process, for people with ARFID, feel more sensory, physical and gradual, eventually, helping introduce feared foods. Focusing on sensory based avoidance, each set of spoon targets a different fear; texture, smell, or appearance.
The three texture spoons increase the amount of lumpy texture; the smell spoon increases the amount of smell of feared foods taken in; and the taste/appearance spoon allows the user to gradually experience more food. Designed as tools to accompany therapy, the sets gradually increase exposure over time.
A colourful, fun, light-hearted designer who prioritises aesthetics and specialises in communication skills and visuals.
Elena is a designer who enjoys imagining and creating unique designs which aim to help tackle and explore issues that people face everyday. She likes being as imaginative as possible.
She is especially passionate about creating visually appealing designs and enjoys working in the speculative design space. Her designs like to focus on mental and physical health.
