Exploring Autism and ADHD in Eating Disorder Services
A recent study highlights the overlap between autism, ADHD, and eating disorders, emphasizing the need for better screening and tailored support.
In the realm of eating disorders (EDs), the presence of both autism and ADHD is becoming increasingly apparent. While these conditions have often been studied in isolation, there is a pressing need to understand how they intersect, especially within treatment settings.
The Prevalence of Co-occurring Conditions
Research indicates that individuals with eating disorders are significantly more likely to also have ADHD. According to a study by Nazar et al. (2016), those suffering from eating disorders are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared to their neurotypical peers. Additionally, a staggering 29% of individuals with anorexia nervosa score above the autism cutoff on leading assessment tools (İnal-Kaleli et al., 2025). This overlap suggests a complex relationship between these disorders.
The Need for a Holistic Approach
Despite the clear overlap, studies have primarily examined autism and ADHD separately. Makin, Allen, and Tchanturia (2026) recently sought to address this gap by focusing specifically on individuals experiencing both autism and ADHD (referred to as AuDHD) in the context of eating disorders. This study analyzed three years of intake data from the South London and Maudsley specialist adult ED service.
Study Methodology
The researchers employed a cross-sectional design, capturing patient data from December 2022 to August 2025. They collected self-reported questionnaires prior to assessments to classify individuals based on reported diagnoses. This created four categories: AuDHD, autistic-only, ADHD-only, and neither condition.
Key Findings
Out of 1,252 patients, only 32 (2.6%) identified as AuDHD, while 45 (3.5%) were autistic-only, and 81 (6.5%) represented ADHD-only cases. The majority of the sample was female (89%) and white (75%), with an average age of 29. Notably, those with ADHD reported higher rates of bulimia nervosa.
Exploring Distress and Functioning
The study discovered that AuDHD patients exhibited the highest levels of psychological distress and poor social functioning. The CORE-10 distress scores were markedly higher in the AuDHD group compared to the others, emphasizing their complex needs. Furthermore, over half of AuDHD patients reported past suicide attempts, underlining the heightened vulnerabilities of this subgroup.
Support Needs Analysis
Interestingly, the support needs of patients varied. Autistic individuals often requested assistance with communication, indicating that clear instructions and predictability are crucial. On the contrary, those with ADHD emphasized the need for organizational support to help manage time and focus.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The study ultimately calls for a paradigm shift in how eating disorder services approach patient intake and support. Routinely screening for autism and ADHD, rather than relying on self-disclosures, may drastically improve care quality. Implementing systematic assessments, such as the AQ-10 and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), could provide crucial insights into patient needs.
The higher instances of suicide attempts in AuDHD patients also highlight the importance of individualized risk assessments and ongoing support tailored to their unique experiences. Simple adjustments, like clear communication strategies, could significantly enhance patient care while minimizing distress.
As the findings suggest, it is vital for clinicians to ask about neurodivergent conditions openly. By doing so, eating disorder services can begin to effectively cater to the complex needs of all individuals, fostering a more inclusive and supportive recovery environment.