Autism and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

When 12 year old Harrison Israel was just a year old, his parents expected a routine well-child visit. Instead, it became the beginning of a journey that would shape the next decade of their lives.

Between his 9-month and 12-month checkups, Harrison had gained only one ounce. His pediatrician immediately referred him to Children's of Alabama for additional testing after blood work revealed an elevated alkaline phosphatase level.

"We spent weeks going through lab work, X-rays and every test imaginable," his mom Emily recalls. "Thankfully, the abnormal lab work turned out to be temporary, but that experience led us to something we didn't even know we needed."

During those evaluations, specialists recognized that Harrison, now one year old, was experiencing speech and motor delays. He began early intervention services, along with speech and occupational therapy through Children's of Alabama.

As Harrison's therapists got to know him, another concern became impossible to ignore.

"My occupational therapist noticed that Harrison wasn't eating like other children," Emily says. "Combined with the fact that he wasn't gaining weight, she referred us to the GI team. That's when we met Dr. Kassel."

By that point, Harrison's nutrition had become a serious medical concern.

"He was incredibly underweight," Emily says. "He didn't eat. He had no energy, couldn't focus, and I was literally watching him shrink."

Like many parents, she hoped to avoid a feeding tube. "I was so determined that he wouldn't need one. But eventually we realized it was what he needed to survive."

Harrison was admitted to Children's of Alabama for placement of a nasogastric (NG) tube before beginning the hospital's Intensive Feeding Program. For 10 weeks, Harrison and his family worked alongside a multidisciplinary team of physicians, led by Dr. Kassel, therapists and dietitians to help him become medically and nutritionally stable.

"That program gave us so much more than a way to help Harrison eat," Emily recalls. "It gave us a plan. Every person on our team taught us something. They didn't just care for Harrison — they taught us how to care for him, too."

At age four, Harrison was diagnosed with autism, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and ADHD. Today, he continues to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy and feeding therapy. He still sees Dr. Kassel and the Feeding Clinic team, who continue to monitor his growth and nutrition while helping his family stay on track.

"We still keep feeding logs and work hard every day to maintain his weight," his mom says. "But Dr. Kassel gave us the roadmap. Because of her and the entire team, Harrison is medically and nutritionally stable."

Today, the almost-12-year-old enjoys playing golf, watching football and soccer and spending time with his friends and family.

Looking back, Harrison's mom says what stands out most isn't just the expertise of his medical team — it's the compassion they showed every step of the way.

"There were so many unknowns, and it was scary," she says. "But everyone at Children's listened to me. They validated what I was seeing as his mom, helped us find answers and never gave up on Harrison."

She says she recommends Children's of Alabama every chance she gets.

"I would recommend Children's of Alabama to anyone and everyone. We had an entire team of doctors and specialists who cared for my child, but they also cared for our family. They gave us hope when we needed it most, and because of them, Harrison is thriving today."