The Overlap of Disordered Eating, Autism and ADHD: Future Research Priorities as Identified by Adults with Lived Experience

The focus of mental health research in emerging fields should be driven by the priorities of people with lived experience. Autism and ADHD are childhood-onset neurodevelopmental conditions that are associated with a range of negative outcomes, including increased risk for eating disorders. The evidence base for how best to support neurodivergent individuals who experience disordered eating is still in its infancy, but research suggest existing clinical approaches are not currently fit for purpose. In this Position Paper, through community consultation with autistic people and people with ADHD who have experienced disordered eating, we present a comprehensive ranked list of research topics that those with lived experience prioritise. These priorities could be clustered into two overarching areas: ‘Improving Outcomes’ and ‘Identifying Causal Mechanisms’. Within the Improving Outcomes theme, topics focused on improving treatment, the need for neurodiversity training in clinical services and the identification and minimization of unintended adverse effects of psychological intervention. Within the Identifying Causal Mechanisms theme, topics focused on the identification of risk factors and better understanding of the impact of autistic/ADHD neurocognitive profiles as potential contributors to eating disorder vulnerability. The final Top 10 Research Priorities are contextualized, in terms of how they compare to the existing literature on the overlap between autism/ADHD and eating disorders, and concrete suggestions are given for how to implement these research priorities as testable hypotheses. Research informed by these priorities will build necessary understanding of the reasons behind the increased risk for eating disorders in neurodivergent people, and how to best support those affected to live positive and fulfilling lives