Neurodivergence

Background:

In recent years there has been much written about possible links between neurodivergence and eating disorders. Many eating disorder clinics now routinely screen new patients for autism, ADHD and AuDHD, and will then adapt treatment according to the patient’s individual needs. There is no one recommended approach, although the PEACE pathway created at the Maudsley hospital in London is being adopted by many services. The PEACE pathway specifically considers how treatment can most effectively be adapted for patients with a dual diagnosis of autism and anorexia.

Of course, people with neurodivergent or autism spectrum conditions (ASC) can present with a wide array of eating difficulties, not just restrictive eating. The main eating disorder categories can exist within this population including anorexia, ARFID, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.  Individuals might overeat certain foods because of the comfort it gives them or they might never experience feelings of fullness. At the other end of the scales certain tastes, textures and colours might be avoided as they trigger sensory overload for example.

Rolling New Maudsley carer skills workshops:

The research suggests that 30 to 40% of patients in treatment are neurodivergent or have high level neurodivergent traits. We have observed that up to half of families attending our New Maudsley sessions report that their loved one in neurodivergent or they suspect they might be.

Three sessions, spread over three months, are now being offered on a rolling basis to carers of loved ones with an eating disorder and neurodivergence or high level neurodivergent traits:

  1. Illustration of New Maudsley techniques in the context of co-existing autism. This is a listen and learn session around what the research tells us and how New Maudsley skills can be adapted and used to support a loved one with autism.
  2. Session Two. Practical skills exploring communication techniques when there is autism present. This is more of an interactive session looking at the scenarios and challenges that participants are facing.
  3. Session Three Practical skills exploring ways to help your loved one plan for change and start to make small changes as they build confidence.

Within these sessions we can consider four very common questions

  • What useful information can I provide the eating disorder team about my loved one?
  • How can I tell if a behaviour is emanating from their neurodivergence or the eating disorder?
  • How should treatment be adapted for my loved one with autism?
  • How can we adapt the New Maudsley skills when my loved one is neurodivergent

All participants will be sent a full pack of resources after each session.

Testimonial: 

Email jenny@newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk for next available dates

Podcasts:

New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast with Jenny Langley and Harriet Parsons from Bodywhys. This podcast series intends to bring the New Maudsley Carer Skills to life, in bite size pieces.

Season Two is focused on autism and neurodivergence.

Bodywhys New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast |

You can find the podcast by searching ‘Bodywhys’ through popular podcast platforms, such as Apple, and Spotify.

The podcast is also available directly via the ‘Spotify for Podcasters’ platform here.

Season 2: From Autumn 2024

  1. Welcome back to season 2
  2. An introduction to the New Maudsley Carer Skills model when supporting an autistic or neurodivergent person with an eating disorder
  3. The purple balloon
  4. Adapting OARS when supporting an autistic/neurodivergent person with an eating disorder
  5. Adapting the ALVS (Attend, Label, Validate, Soothe) technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder
  6. ARFID – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (Mini-series part 1)
  7. ARFID – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children (Mini-series part 2)
  8. ARFID – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in adults (Mini-series part 3)
  9. ARFID – What to do when your loved one is stuck (Mini-series part 4)
  10. Binge eating and neurodiversity
  11. Understanding extreme hunger when recovering from an eating disorder
  12. In conversation with autistic advocate and recovery coach Livia Sara
  13. ARFID – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Fear of aversive consequences (Mini-series part 5)
  14. In conversation with Livia Sara, part 2
  15. Nasogastric (NG) feeding: Tolerating the distress
  16. Body dysmorphic disorder and body image distortion
  17. Compulsive Exercise
  18. Perfectionism
  19. In conversation with Hannah Hickinbotham (around atypical anorexia and ADHD)
  20. Teenage brain development and eating disorders

Testimonials for the podcasts:

  • A must listen for parents looking for support and ideas

Wow! What an eye opening conversation between Harriet and Jenny. As a parent of a neurodiverse tween, I gained so much insight and inspiration from the tools and stories shared. I’ve already forwarded the show to the other adults in my child’s life. Valuable to listen in for stories and strategies even if your child doesn’t have an eating disorder but struggles with mental health and/or navigating a neurotypical world.

United States 

  • A lifesaver. And I mean that literally

I can’t thank you ladies enough for putting these shows together. My daughter has been in hospital with ED and is on the other side now. We were pointed toward a online course called ‘dolphins’ and it was a useful insight but I have to say that listening to these Maudsley episodes especially with some real world examples has made a huge difference to my understanding.

Thankyou so much for all the great work you’ve put into this.

All the best
G 

New Maudsley Resources:

This section is work in progress.

If you sign up for the rolling programme you will receive a full pack of current resources

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