Eating disorders

The Eating Disorder and Autism Collaborative (EDAC), a UK-wide network of researchers focused on autism and eating disorders, has highlighted that Autistic people often report poorer experiences with eating disorder treatment. In addition, Autistic people with eating disorders tend to experience longer in-patient admissions compared to their neurotypical peers.

To improve outcomes for Autistic people with eating disorders, EDAC has carried out research exploring the experiences of clinicians, patients, and parents/carers. This work aims to uncover key insights into how Autistic people engage with psychological therapies for eating disorders, shedding light on the unique considerations that may be necessary for this patient group.

There is a pressing need to develop guidelines on adapting outpatient evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, so that interventions for Autistic people are more effective and suitable. With funding from the Foundation, Dr Fiona Duffy from the University of Edinburgh aims to carry forward EDAC's main objectives. She plans to develop an expert working group, inclusive of people with lived experience, parents and carers, clinicians and researchers, to co-produce adaptations of eating disorder focused family therapy (FT-ED) - a first line intervention for young patients and their families.

The team will also co-produce structured guidelines, and share these recommendations and the underpinning studies with clinicians, via a series of online training events. The team will develop videos, podcasts, social media and strengthen EDAC's website to support their dissemination goals.