Neurodiversity is reshaping the way we understand mental health. Nowhere is this shift more needed than in conversations about eating disorders.

For many people in the neurodivergent community with ADHD, autism and other conditions, eating disorders aren’t just about body image or control. Instead, it’s intertwined with:

  • Sensory differences
  • Executive function challenges
  • Emotional regulation differences
  • The pressure to mask or fit in

Recognizing these crucial differences is so important because acknowledging that eating disorders affect some of us differently can make eating disorder treatment much more successful.

Is There a Connection Between Neurodiversity & Eating Disorders?

Although more studies need to be done, there does appear to be a connection between neurodiversity and eating disorders. Here are some studies that seem to show this connection:

  • In 2013, a research analysis was published that showed that people with anorexia nervosa reported having higher rates of autistic traits.
  • Studies have shown that higher rates of autism are associated with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Additionally, a third of people with ARFID said they avoid certain foods due to sensory issues.
  • A study published in the Journal of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics found that individuals who identified as female who also had ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) were almost four times more likely to also develop an eating disorder.

What Is Neurodiversity?

First coined and popularized by activist Kassiane Asasumasu and sociologist Judy Singer, the term “neurodivergent” helps describe people who experience the world in a different way from others. It doesn’t mean their experience is wrong or flawed – it’s just a different way of seeing the world from “neurotypical” individuals.

Harvard Health reports that the word is often used to describe people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word is also used to describe people living with conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities and more.

Is Being Neurodivergent a Disability?

Like so many issues involving neurodiversity, this question comes down to perspective. Neurodivergent people often navigate the world with brains that process information, emotions and sensory input differently from the majority. Those differences aren’t inherently negative, but they can become challenging when someone is placed in environments that don’t align with their needs or strengths.

What looks like a “struggle” from the outside is often just a mismatch between the person and the situation they’re being asked to function in.

Here’s an example: some neurodivergent people can find social situations like job interviews extremely stressful, even if the role itself is a perfect fit for their abilities. The pressure to read social cues, maintain eye contact, respond quickly or manage sensory input can be overwhelming. They might stumble over answers or appear anxious during the interview, which can be misinterpreted as a lack of competence.

Yet once they’re in the job, working in a predictable environment, using their strengths and engaging in tasks that suit their thinking style, they may thrive, excel and contribute in ways that far exceed expectations.

The difficulty wasn’t with the job; it was with the context in which they were evaluated.

So, Why Do Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders Often Overlap?

The main reason neurodiversity and eating disorders often overlap is that eating disorders don’t discriminate. Your gender, economic level, age…eating disorders can and do affect everyone.

That said, there are some important factors in play.

Sensory Differences

People who are neurodivergent often experience reduced or heightened sensitivity to qualities like:

  • Taste
  • Texture
  • Smell
  • Temperature

This can lead to avoiding food that is overwhelming to their senses, sticking to a restrictive list of “safe foods,” or feeling intense discomfort when familiar foods or routines change. These patterns, over time, can develop into restrictive patterns, especially in environments that don’t accommodate the needs of neurodivergent people.

Emotional Regulation

Food can act as a coping strategy for both neurotypical and neurodivergent people, especially when emotions run high. This isn’t only about overeating, either – many people restrict the food they eat to feel in control or avoid eating entirely when feeling overstimulated or stressed.

Challenges with Executive Function

For people who struggle with executive functioning (cognitive skills that help regulate, control and manage their daily life activities), it can make certain activities very difficult. This can result in:

  • Problems maintaining routines
  • Struggling to prepare meals, instead eating whatever is easiest
  • Forgetting to eat

These patterns can create long-term issues that resemble eating disorders.

Interoception Differences

Interoception is the body’s ability to sense when it’s:

  • Hungry
  • Thirsty
  • Full

However, some neurodivergent people struggle with interoception, having difficulty recognizing when they’re full, mistaking emotional discomfort for physical comfort, and having trouble recognizing hunger cues. This can result in disrupted, irregular eating patterns.

Being Misunderstood or Having a Late Diagnosis

Many medical professionals struggle with recognizing neurodivergence, which is often not a black-and-white issue. This can lead to treatment that doesn’t recognize their patient’s neurotype, which in turn can make eating challenges worse and make the patient feel ashamed and frustrated.

What Is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory processing disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes difficulties with social interaction, along with repetitive and restrictive behavior patterns.

Studies have shown that many people on the autism spectrum struggle with sensory processing differences. Additional studies have shown that sensory differences often play a role in conditions like ARFID.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that revolve around disordered eating patterns, such as:

  • Food restriction
  • Binge eating
  • Purging

These patterns are persistent and strongly interfere with physical, mental, and emotional health.

Although most people tend to assume that eating disorders revolve around body image, the reality is far more complex. While yes, body image is a driving factor in many disorders, other factors are often involved, such as anxiety, sensory sensitivities, emotional issues, trauma and more.

Many of these additional factors are experienced by neurodivergent people.

Common Eating Disorders: A Quick Overview

There are many kinds of eating disorders. Some of the most recognized eating disorders include:

Anorexia Nervosa

Like anorexia nervosa, ARFID is an eating disorder that revolves around a restricted diet…but it’s also very different. ARFID is chiefly driven by different factors, which can include:

  • Sensory sensitivities
  • A lack of interest in food
  • Fears of choking and vomiting

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder involves repeated episodes of out-of-control eating. During these episodes, it feels like you can’t stop eating. Often, these episodes are highly disturbing and are often accompanied by feelings of shame and guilt.

Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that revolves around the obsessive eating of foods perceived as “healthy.” Rather than body image, orthorexia nervosa involves obsessions of food quality and purity.

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)

OSFED is a classification for eating disorders that don’t meet the diagnostic criteria for any other eating disorders. Eating disorders occur on a spectrum, and anyone dealing with disordered eating patterns needs help.

How Do You Treat Neurodivergent People with an Eating Disorder?

Effective treatment for neurodivergent people struggling with eating disorders is recognizing the different ways they:

  • Manage their emotions
  • Process sensory input
  • How they handle routines…and change
  • How they interpret hunger and fullness

This makes diagnosis more accurate and treatment more effective. Also, making the treatment environment sensory-friendly (like allowing familiar, “safe” foods) and taking a gradual approach is more helpful.

It’s also important to support executive functioning challenges, like making routines predictable and making use of reminders. Respecting sensory-based food preferences and recognizing emotional regulation is also helpful.

Neuro-Affirming Care

Neuro-affirming care recognizes a person’s neurodivergence and how their brain functions differently. Treating eating disorders is never a one-size-fits-all situation; recognizing the particular challenges and differences faced by the neurodivergent community is necessary for effective treatment.

The SENSE Program at the Center for Discovery

We recognize the differences experienced by the neurodivergent community, especially when individuals are struggling with eating disorders. We developed our SENSE Program to serve this community, both for people with ARFID and those who have a neurodivergent diagnosis.

Our program:

  • Helps individuals build awareness of their unique sensory system and how it shapes their everyday experiences
  • Explores different sensory profiles and understands how each one influences the nervous system, from moments of overwhelm to states of calm and regulation
  • Clarifies how sensory processing patterns can interact with and contribute to an eating disorder
  • Integrates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills with sensory-based strategies to support more consistent and comfortable eating patterns
  • Offers online participation so individuals can engage in healing from the comfort of their own home
  • Provides families with education about how the sensory, nervous, and digestive systems work together throughout the recovery process

You’re Seen at Center for Discovery

Too often, neurodivergence is mistaken for something else. At Center for Discovery, we provide a safe space for members of the neurodivergent community who are experiencing eating disorders to recover and achieve lasting positive changes.

Center for Discovery offers effective, measurement-based care for eating disorders and has a treatment program specifically designed for those in the neurodivergent community.

Neurodiversity and eating disorders can be a challenging combination, but it isn’t hopeless. We’ll help you live the life you truly deserve in a safe, welcoming, and confidential space. Reach out today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the recognition that certain neurological differences, like autism, ADHD and more, are variations of the human brain rather than a defect or illness.

What Are Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are a class of health disorders that revolve around harmful eating patterns.

Is There a Link Between Neurodiversity and Eating Disorders?

Yes, research shows that there are links between neurodiversity and eating disorders, although these links are often very different from those of neurotypical people.

Can a Neurodivergent Person Get Treated for an Eating Disorder?

Yes. At Center for Discovery, we provide a program that recognizes the unique challenges often faced by neurodivergent people.

What Is ARFID?

ARFID, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, is an eating disorder that causes people to eat an extremely limited amount and variety of food, which can result in serious nutritional and physical health problems. Unlike many other eating disorders, ARFID isn’t really motivated by body image concerns, but by sensory issues, fears related to food and lack of appetite.