As a dietitian, involvement with PEACE increases my understanding of how people with an eating disorder and ASC experience food and eating, and this helps me to better support recovery from the eating disorder.
The first step in supporting change in eating is for me to learn about someone’s personal experiences. Since PEACE I pay greater attention to exploring some aspects of food and eating that are known to be often relevant to people with an eating disorder both with and without ASC, such as whether they hold any particular rules around food or have any difficulties with social eating. Also, the standard dietetic assessment now includes questions about how someone experiences the taste, smell and texture of food, and if any sensory sensitivities are identified I can arrange for a broader assessment of their sensory experiences. This information and understanding aids in together agreeing aims for recovery, and in planning achievable, stepwise changes towards them.
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This blog by Lauren Makin shares insights from recent research on how eating disorder support can better meet the needs of Autistic and ADHD adults. It highlights the importance of recognising neurodivergence and adapting care to sensory, communication, and routine needs, based on what people with lived experience say is most helpful.
A neurodiversity-informed guide for carers supporting someone with an eating disorder, with a focus on autism and ADHD. This resource offers practical, compassionate strategies grounded in lived experience and clinical expertise.
