Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders

Neurodiversity and Eating Difficulties

Understanding the Overlap

Eating disorders are often approached as standalone mental health conditions. However, for many people, they sit alongside neurodevelopmental differences, such as autism or ADHD. When these differences are not recognised, eating disorder support can feel misaligned, ineffective, or exhausting.

Understanding the overlap between neurodiversity and eating disorders helps explain why some people struggle to fit traditional treatment models and why more tailored approaches matter.

What recent research is showing

Growing research suggests that autistic and ADHD traits are more common among adults with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder than in the general population.

Rather than being incidental, these traits can shape:

• How eating difficulties develop

• How they are experienced day to day

• How people respond to treatment

  
  

Despite this, neurodevelopmental differences are still frequently overlooked in eating disorder services.

How neurodivergence can shape eating experiences

Neurodiversity does not cause eating disorders, but it can influence how eating difficulties emerge and persist.

Autism and eating patterns

Autistic people may experience differences in:

• Sensory processing (taste, texture, temperature, smell)

• Preference for predictability and routine

• Cognitive flexibility

  
  

In practice, this can mean:

• Strong aversions to certain foods

• Reliance on a narrow range of “safe” foods

• Distress when routines change

  
  

These patterns can be misunderstood as resistance or lack of motivation, rather than sensory or neurological needs.

ADHD and eating behaviours

ADHD is commonly associated with:

• Impulsivity

• Difficulties with planning and organisation

• Emotional regulation challenges

  
  

For some people, this can contribute to:

• Irregular eating patterns

• Binge eating linked to impulsivity or emotional overwhelm

• Difficulty maintaining consistent routines

  
  

Without recognising ADHD traits, support may focus only on behaviour rather than underlying regulation difficulties.

Why neurodivergence is often missed

Many adults with eating disorders, particularly women and non-binary people, reach adulthood without a diagnosis of autism or ADHD.

This happens for several reasons:

• Diagnostic criteria were historically based on male presentations

• Masking and coping strategies can hide traits

• Eating disorder symptoms can overshadow neurodevelopmental differences

  
  

As a result, treatment may address eating behaviours without addressing the context in which those

behaviours developed.

When treatment does not fit

Standard eating disorder treatments are often designed with neurotypical assumptions in mind. For neurodivergent individuals, this can lead to difficulties such as:

• Group therapies that feel overwhelming

• Exposure approaches that ignore sensory distress

• Communication styles that feel invalidating or confusing

  
  

This does not mean treatment is “wrong”, but it may need adaptation.

What neurodiversity-informed support looks like

Neurodiversity-informed care does not lower expectations for recovery. Instead, it adjusts the route taken.

This may include:

• Greater attention to sensory needs

• Flexible approaches to food variety and exposure

• Clear, predictable structure

• Collaboration rather than compliance-based models

  
  

Assessment plays a key role in identifying what adaptations are likely to help.

Why specialist expertise matters

Working at the intersection of eating disorders and neurodiversity requires specific clinical understanding. Without this, well-intended interventions can inadvertently increase distress.

Specialist services are better placed to:

• Recognise neurodevelopmental traits

• Differentiate between eating disorder behaviours and sensory needs

• Tailor support in a way that feels accessible and respectful

  
  

This is particularly important for individuals who have not benefitted from previous treatment.

Looking ahead

Research into neurodiversity and eating disorders is still developing. There is a growing need for:

• More inclusive diagnostic pathways

• Adapted psychological interventions

• Better understanding of gender differences

• Broader access to neurodiversity-informed care

  
  

Progress in this area has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce treatment dropout.

How we can help

At The Eating Disorders Clinic, we take a neurodiversity-informed, assessment-led approach. We recognise that eating difficulties do not exist in isolation and that understanding the individual’s neurodevelopmental profile can be essential to effective support.

Care is tailored, collaborative, and reviewed regularly.

A gentle next step

If you suspect that neurodiversity may be relevant to your own or a loved one’s eating difficulties, you are welcome to book a free initial call to talk things through.

You can also review our website to understand how our service works before making any decisions.

Author: Stefanos Pagonidis – Clinical Director, Lead Dietitian at the Eating Disorders Clinic

References:

• Makin, L., Zesch, E., Meyer, A., Mondelli, V., & Tchanturia, K. (2025). Autism, ADHD, and Their Traits in Adults With Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: A Scoping Review. .https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.3177

• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

• Tchanturia, K. (2022). .

• Kinnaird, E., Norton, C., & Pimblett, C. (2019). Sensory Processing and Autism in Eating Disorders.

• NICE Guidelines. (2009).