EATING DISORDERS AND AUTISM 1
Eating Disorders and Autism
Adriana Sandoval
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Abstract
Research indicates that the high prevalence of eating disorders among individuals with
autism affects the efficacy of eating disorder treatment programs, which ultimately impacts the
person with autism as well as their community. Eating disorders can have catastrophic, even
deadly effects on a person's physical and mental well-being. The initial diagnosis of autism
already overwhelms parents, and obstacles to the diagnosis and perceived stigma can make
matters worse. Additionally, studies show a link between autism and avoidant/restrictive food
intake disorder (ARFID), allowing clinicians to treat and to adapt to therapeutic interventions. To
potentially reduce stigma and support a community affected by the co-occurrence of eating
EATING DISORDERS AND AUTISM 2
disorders and autism, this can be accomplished by developing specialized therapies and healing
environments that prioritize mental health services. This has an impact on the individual,
proposed intervention and potential outcomes.
Keywords: autism, AFRID, eating disorders, community, Christian community, feeding
Eating Disorders and Autism
Eating disorders are complex, and people with autism may have trouble identifying the
emotions they are experiencing. How these two diagnoses impact one another is essential to
help understand the effects on individuals with the diagnosis, the community, treatment
interventions and potential outcomes. Eating disorders have the highest death rates of any
mental condition, causing devastating effects on those affected (NEDA, 2025). The high
frequency of eating disorders among people with autism has an impact on interventions used in
individualized treatments. Additionally, according to NEDA (2025), 20–30% of eating disorder
patients exhibit symptoms of autism or have received an autism diagnosis.
Children diagnosed with autism require adequate support and therapy, and diet can
influence the effectiveness of therapies (Kozak et al., 2023). Seventy percent of parents reported
eating disorder symptoms among their autistic children with an early onset of 12 months of age
(Socie et al., 2025). Parents of children with ASD use more rigorous feeding practices due to
cultural norms surrounding mealtimes, including special events. Peculiar eating patterns, which
begin at a noticeably early age, are present in people with ASD (Kozak et al., 2023). Eating
disorders affect a person's physical and mental health and can sometimes lead to death.
According to research, the high frequency of eating disorders among people with autism
influences the effectiveness of eating disorder therapeutic interventions ultimately affecting the
individual and their community.
Community of Interest
Parents of children with ASD often base their eating habits on pressure to eat because
they worry that their child may experience severe physical health problems or become
underweight. Research conducted by Sader (2025) found that autism and avoidant/restrictive
EATING DISORDERS AND AUTISM 3
food intake disorder (ARFID) shares a considerable number of diagnostic similarities. Doctors
can treat autistic individuals with disordered eating and modify current eating disorder
therapies based on the prevalence of ARFID and autism co-occurrence.
The Downey CHNA concentrated on how socioeconomic determinants of health impact
the community, including limited access to mental health-related services and food security
(Kaiser, 2023). Communities remain stuck in an untreated mental health cycle, which raises the
prevalence of mental illness, when there is also stigma associated with mental health and
limited access to help. Parents are already overwhelmed with the initial diagnosis of autism; this
can be compounded around viewed stigma and barriers of the diagnosis. Downey reports a
Hispanic population of 73.9%, a population where autism, eating disorders, and other mental
illnesses are taboo to speak about (Kaiser, 2023). This stigma can be lessened by educating the
public about mental health. The community would feel more comfortable seeking treatment for
a taboo subject if mental healthcare was more easily accessible and reasonably priced.
Proposed Intervention
Improvements in food acceptance, with systematic desensitization being the most
popular intervention technique, imply that children who get sensory-based therapy may
develop their eating skills (Ha, 2022). An option is a virtual nutrition program. A virtual
implementation and assessment of an 8-week nutrition intervention based on social cognition
theory that addresses eating patterns and food environment difficulties specific to autism
spectrum disorder suggests that such type of program is possible (Buro et al., 2022). The
process may be slow and gradual, and weeks of therapy, ideally eight weeks as mentioned
above, may be necessary. Food desensitization, removing the pressure to eat the food, and
building trust will all parts of the proposed therapeutic intervention.
This will look like nourishment through play, tying new foods at snack time instead of
mealtimes and modeling eating or if there is parental involvement, feeding each other. Therapy
should not be evaluated with a passing or failing grade, rather than if there has been any
EATING DISORDERS AND AUTISM 4
forward movement in the interventions prescribed. This can look like a client who is open to
trying new foods and making healthy choices after the eight weeks of therapy. If there was little
to no improvement, an assessment to see what was missing, or if there are other factors making
progress difficult, such as food sensitivity, food allergies or comorbidities.
Variety of feeding therapy program as well as telehealth appointments covered by health
insurance via co-pay, requiring a common medical referral from the primary care physician (PCP)
or pediatrician, this can come with limitations if their PCP is not willing to provide a referral.
Government aid programs, monthly payment options, sliding scale fees, grants, scholarships, or
loans may also be used to obtain care. An individual can also avoid the referral and insurance
price of approval for the therapy by paying themselves or with a community resource service
voucher.
Potential Outcomes
By strengthening social, communication, and behavioral skills through organized
interventions, the aim is to enhance everyday functioning and lessen disorder symptoms.
Potential short-term, 3-month outcomes include more social engagement during mealtimes in
the home, creating a safe environment and less stress on those who share the home
environment and enhancements in adaptive abilities, which are necessary for everyday tasks.
Families can also connect with people who share their path through community involvement. A
potential 1-year outcome would be patients maintaining their physical and mental health,
eliminating symptoms, creating less financial stress on the individuals and health care costs.
Potential outcome 5 years post intervention would look like those who are still on the autism
spectrum in good health. Individuals in good health tend to be more productive and can help
break the cycles of hunger and poverty over time (WHO, 2025). Self-care, communication, social
connection, and problemsolving skills are also few examples of these abilities that can be
acquired.
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Christian Community
The local church is considered as a safe space in a community. Involving the church and
the Christian community in the planning and implementation of interventions for eating
disorders, autism, and mental health issues is fundamental. Christianity, which is founded on
love, compassion, and forgiveness, offers a unique viewpoint for people coping with mental
health challenges, providing consolation, purpose, and a sense of connection. The Bible
highlights God's desire for wholeness, with Matthew 11:28-30 revealing Jesus' loving heart to
people who are tired and burdened by providing rest. By establishing healing spaces, churches
that prioritize mental health support can better serve their members and the communities in
which they live. A church that provides mental health programs or counseling shows that it is
serious about addressing this issue. Churches may improve community ties by collaborating
with schools, hospitals, and local organizations and referring people to counseling services.
Conclusion
Individuals with autism struggle to understand their feelings while dealing with eating
disorders. Understanding how these illnesses interact is critical for successful therapies and
results, since eating disorders affect people and communities alike. Clinicians can treat these
individuals with the use of food desensitization, trust-building, virtual sessions, parental
involvement, and the improvement of behavioral, social, and communication skills. Public
education on mental health lowers stigma as well as improves access to mental healthcare. The
Christian community can also aid by connecting people with counseling services or providing
opportunities for those services to be obtained. People on the autism spectrum may be
healthier, learn more effectively, and break patterns of untreated mental health cycles that raise
the risk of mental illness after receiving intervention.
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