Eating Disorder Treatments Are Less Effective for Autistic Populations: Proposing Steps Toward Improving Outcomes.

Abstract

The recent mixed-methods review by Nimbley et al. (2024) raises important and concerning, yet not unexpected, insights into the usefulness of eating disorder (ED) treatment for autistic populations. In their review, Nimbley et al. find that ED treatments may be less effective for autistic groups, proposing a need for a greater understanding of ED in autistic populations, and more autism-informed measures and interventions for EDs. We take the opportunity in this commentary to further expand on the next steps that must be taken to inform future ED interventions for autistic populations. We reflect on similar observations of the impact of co-occurrence on intervention efficacy in autism, draw on contemporary movements in relation to interventions in the context of autism, and align with the conclusions of Nimbley et al., who propose that future ED interventions may need to be tailored to autistic populations. We present participatory and co-creation research approaches as a means to achieve this.