We have recently published two studies exploring what Autistic and ADHD adults with binge- or purge- type eating disorders want eating disorder support to look like.
We interviewed 26 adults, most of whom had received eating disorder treatment and had lived experience of bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or similar difficulties. Alongside existing research on Autism and anorexia nervosa (see review here), these studies are helping us better understand how eating disorders should be treated and understood in Autistic and ADHD individuals.
Participants told us what good care looks like:
- Recognition: screening for neurodivergence, and clinicians staying alert to possible signs of autism or ADHD.
- An affirming approach: treating neurodivergence and the eating disorder as separate, without trying to "fix" who someone is. Where traits do feed into eating disorder behaviours, address this gradually and affirmingly.
- Sensory and communication adaptations: adjusting food, meal plans, and environments that can feel overwhelming, and offering clear, concrete communication.
- Consistency and routine: regular appointments, reminders, and help building simple, sustainable routines around meals.
- Time: enough time to build trust, make gradual changes, and explore how neurodivergence connects to their eating disorder, plus breaks or extra processing time where needed.
- Support with coping strategies: for emotional and interpersonal challenges, again without trying to change who they are.
- Better training: for clinicians and carers, so all of the above is actually possible.
We hope this is a useful starting point if you are, or support, a neurodivergent person with an eating disorder.
References
Makin, L., Meyer, A., Mondelli, V. et al. Regulating with food: a qualitative study of Neurodivergent experiences in adults with binge eating disorder. J Eat Disord 14, 13 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01493-7
Makin, L., Meyer, A., Chubinidze, D. et al. Bingeing as an ADHD-related strategy: a qualitative study of experiences of Neurodivergent and potentially Neurodivergent adults with bulimic-spectrum eating disorders. Eat Weight Disord 31, 3 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-025-01804-6
