Living as a neurodivergent person with undiagnosed and unsupported Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or an Autism Spectrum diagnosis can lead to a great number of difficulties in a variety of life domains, including with work or school – challenges organizing, planning, implementing or completing tasks, understanding and remembering what another person has said, being overstimulated by and having difficulties filtering out sensory stimuli (e.g., bright florescent lights, ambient sounds, perfumes and smells, people walking in the area), dealing with unexpected changes and last minute taskings (e.g., new unexpected assignment, or scheduled meeting) – but also managing self-care at home, and navigating relationships with family, friends, or other loved ones. 

Spoon theory is a commonly discussed metaphor in the neurodivergent community (and for persons with disabilities) to capture the nature of physical and psychological resources for dealing with life demands – there are only so many spoons (e.g., energy, psychological resources) to go around, and what is available may be inconsistently available within and across days for the neurodivergent person. The neurodivergent person is often trying to manage their resources to balance their physical activity, their focus, their social demands and relationships, to mitigate the impact of sensory stimuli, and manage language and executive functioning needs. It is a lot more to handle (pun intended) for neurodiverse people, who in turn are often prone to burnout and mental health distress.

Diagnosis – The Road to Validation, Support, and Accommodations

For many, receiving a formal diagnosis can provide clarity and understanding about years of challenges and personal struggles. Before being diagnosed with ADHD or Autism, many individuals face a constant internal battle. They may have a sense that something is different about the way they experience the world, but they often don’t know how to articulate or even identify it. The experiences for the person with ADHD and/or Autism can lead to a great deal of confusion and self-doubt. For those who grew up with undiagnosed neurodivergence, the challenges are often compounded by others’ lack of understanding, empathy, or capacity to support. 

An ADHD and/or Autism assessment can not only lead to validation and understanding, but also to tangible supports to help give you, or your loved one, personalized tools and strategies, resources (e.g., guides, books), or work or school accommodations. Completing an assessment may also lead to assistance in completing an application to grant access to government supports (e.g., Disability Tax Credit, Ontario Disability Support Program, Developmental Services Ontario, etc.)

The Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR) is proud to offer an assessment service for  Adults, Children and Adolescents to be able to diagnose and support Autism, ADHD, and other related challenges – learning difficulties, and psychological diagnoses affecting mood, anxiety, or trauma, among others, to help you or your loved one build a more secure, resilient self. 

A variety of assessments are available – all of which are organized to understand and support symptoms and functioning, and to diagnose neurodivergence and related conditions: 

• Psychological assessment can lead to a diagnostic profile to recognize symptoms and functioning, and validate conditions that are present for the person
• Psychoeducational assessment is organized more for academic settings – to inform a school of accommodation needs, and involves cognitive and academic testing to diagnose learning disorders
• Neuropsychological assessment involves in-depth cognitive testing to develop a cognitive profile, to understand strengths and weaknesses that can lead to adaptive and accommodation supports in life and at work or school. 

If you think you, or your loved one may be neurodivergent, CFIR can help connect you with an appropriate clinician. Assessment clinicians offer free consultations to understand your needs, and to discuss an assessment and plan of action. Assessments are offered in English and in French. You can book in with an available assessor by visiting this page: https://cfir.ca/contact-us/initial-appointment/, or you may speak with a member of our administrative team by contacting the centre by email (admin@cfir.ca), or phone (1-855-779-2347). 

Dr. Marc Bedard, C.Psych. is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, a Partner, and Director, Training at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR). Dr. Bedard provides psychological services to individual adults experiencing a wide range of psychological and relationship difficulties related to mood and anxiety disorders, trauma, eating disorders, and sleep disruptions. He also provides neuropsychological and psychological assessment services to individuals with acquired brain injury, post-concussive difficulties, and to diagnose and support neurodiverse peoples (e.g., Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder).

When it comes to mental health, one important but often overlooked area is the connection between neurodiversity and eating disorders. Neurodiversity covers a range of conditions, particularly ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Neurodivergent individuals often face unique challenges in their daily lives—and food and eating habits are no exception.

For individuals with ADHD and ASD, factors like sensory sensitivities, difficulties with executive functioning (like planning and organization), and social communication challenges can heavily influence their relationship with food (Cobbaert et al., 2024). For example, some may find certain textures or tastes unbearable, leading to restrictive eating patterns. Others may struggle with impulsivity or emotional regulation, which can sometimes lead to episodes of binge eating (Cobbaert et al., 2024). Additionally, neurodivergent individuals often have a natural tendency toward routines, which can sometimes show up as strict food rules or eating rituals, making disordered eating habits harder to manage (Cobbaert et al., 2024).

Despite the clear links, the overlap between neurodiversity and eating disorders hasn’t received much attention in healthcare. However, research is revealing that neurodivergent individuals tend to have a harder time with eating disorder treatment than neurotypical individuals (Babb et al., 2022; Svedlund et al., 2017). That’s why it’s so important for mental health professionals to understand the specific challenges that neurodivergent people face with food and to offer treatment options that are tailored to their needs.

Effective therapy needs to address both neurodivergence and eating habits holistically. For example, treatment might need to consider sensory sensitivities or adjust communication methods to better connect with neurodivergent clients. When therapy is personalized like this, it’s more likely to help individuals build healthier relationships with food and with themselves.

Breaking the stigma around neurodiversity and eating issues is essential. Everyone deserves a safe, understanding space to explore their relationship with food and body image. Finding a therapist who truly understands the connection between neurodivergence and disordered eating can be transformative, offering support that respects both your individuality and your journey.

If you’re dealing with the dual challenges of neurodiversity and disordered eating, know there’s help tailored to your experience. Therapy can provide tools for self-acceptance and empower you to build a healthier relationship with food and yourself.

REFERENCES

Babb, C., Brede, J., Jones, C. R., Serpell, L., Mandy, W., & Fox, J. (2022). A comparison of the eating disorder service experiences of autistic and non‐autistic women in the UK. European Eating Disorders Review, 30(5), 616-627.

Cobbaert, L., Rose, A., Elwyn, R., Silverstein, S., Schweizer, K., Thomas, E., & Miskovic-Wheatley, J. (2024). Neurodivergence, intersectionality, and eating disorders: a lived experience-led narrative review. PsyArXiv Preprints, 14.

Svedlund, N. E., Norring, C., Ginsberg, Y., & von Hausswolff-Juhlin, Y. (2017). Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among adult eating disorder patients. BMC psychiatry, 17, 1-9.

Loreana La Civita (B.A.Hons) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) at the Centre for Interpersonal Relationships (CFIR) working under the clinical supervision of Dr. Jean Kim (C.Psych). Loreana provides psychological services to adolescents and adults and has a special interest in treating individuals with eating disorders, body image concerns, neurodiversity (e.g., ADHD, ASD, OCD) and trauma. Using an integrative approach that combines therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Loreana is passionate about providing tailored support to neurodivergent individuals on their journey toward healing and self-acceptance.