ASD

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) AND EATING DIFFICULTIES

A number of studies have suggested a possible link between anorexia nervosa and autism. Whilst there aren’t enough reliable studies to tell us exactly how many people with anorexia will also have autism, it is recognised that there is a strong overlap in symptoms, and that higher rates of autistic traits are found in people with anorexia than in the general population. Often, especially if anorexia has been present from an early age, the presence of an autistic spectrum disorder may not have been picked up.

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ASD EXPLAINED

Understanding Autism and Eating Disorders

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects communication, sensory processing, and patterns of thinking. Although autism is not a mental health condition, autistic traits , including sensory sensitivities, interoceptive differences, and a preference for routine, can influence eating patterns and increase vulnerability to restrictive eating, ARFID, or binge–restrict cycles.

Difficulties with food are common and understandable, and with the right adaptations, recovery from an eating disorder is entirely possible.

what to look out for

How Autism Can Influence Eating

Some people also find that autistic burnout, social demands, or emotional exhaustion intensify eating disorder symptoms.
For more on anxiety around food, see our Anxiety and ARFID pages.

Autistic individuals may experience:

  • Sensory discomfort with textures, smells, temperatures, or flavours
  • Reliance on predictability, making changes to eating feel overwhelming
  • Difficulty recognising hunger and fullness cues
  • Anxiety around unfamiliar foods or meal environments
  • Using rigid eating patterns as a way to cope with stress
how we support you

Specialist Support at The London Centre

Our team all have extensive experience supporting autistic clients with eating difficulties. We adapt all approaches sensitively, including:

  • predictable and structured sessions with clear agendas, transparent transitions and advance warning of changes 
  • Slower pacing and repetition of key ideas to support processing and reduce cognitive overload
  • Concrete visual tools (eg visual timelines, meal structure maps, sensory profiles, rating scales) rather than abstract verbal reasoning alone
  • sensory-aware formulation, including assessing texture/taste sensitivities, interoception, and environmental triggers
  • Supporting interoceptive awareness, such as recognising hunger, fullness, or early emotional cues
  • Direct communication style, reducing ambiguity and using shared, explicit meaning
  • Flexible adaptations to homework tasks, breaking steps down into small, achievable actions
  •  Collaborative goal-setting that respects preferences for sameness, routine, and autonomy
  • Reducing demands gradually, especially where overwhelm or autistic burnout is present
  • Involving dietetics and occupational therapy to address sensory integration, feeding routines, and practical skills when helpful
  • Autism-affirming language and practice, validating differences rather than pathologising them

These adaptations help ensure therapeutic approaches such as CBT-E, MANTRA, or emotion-focused models remain accessible, attuned, and effective for autistic clients.

You can meet our wider team on our Team Page.

Therapies We Use

We tailor therapies such as CBT-E, MANTRA, DBT or RO-DBT-informed approaches, CFT, ACT, EMDR, dietetic input, and occupational therapy to autistic strengths and needs. We also offer SPEAKS therapy which has been specifically developed with neurodevelopmental difference in mind.

For more detail, please visit our Therapies Page.

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Towards Recovery

Binge eating disorder is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can regain control, confidence, and emotional balance. You do not need to face this alone – specialist help is available, and recovery is absolutely possible.

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FAQs

FAQs About Binge Eating Treatment

No. Many people benefit from autism-informed approaches even if they are undiagnosed or exploring whether they may be autistic.

Not necessarily — it simply means treatment requires adaptation. Many autistic individuals make strong, sustained progress with the right support.

 Yes. Sensory challenges are common and can be supported through psychological therapy, dietetics, and OT.