Early autism diagnosis could help understand eating disorders, says NHS service in Bucks
It's as services report an increase in demand for help with eating disorders
A service supporting young individuals with autism who suffer from eating disorders suggests identifying early signs of autism could help understand eating habits which could lead to a disorder.
The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience (BOB PEACE), has been treating adolescents and young people for years, providing targeted mental health support.
Like other services and charities across the country, the BOB PEACE has seen an increase in individuals needing support for eating disorders, however suggests early diagnosis of autism could help target support.
What could be the link between an eating disorder and autism?
According to Sarah Wilcock, Occupational Therapist at the service, autistic individuals are more likely to obsess over calorie count or food textures.
She said: "We certainly know that the autistic individuals are more vulnerable to eating disorders, and some of that is around the sensory differences that are experienced and associated with eating crude textures, taste, smells."
"That need for sameness and predictability can lead to the development of rules and routines around eating and exercise that can become unhealthy."
How can understanding autism help?
Ms Wilcock said: "The autism diagnosis can be really helpful, or just discussing autism, can be so helpful to connect with that sense of difference to help them explore feeling different."
"That general sense of feeling different and not fitting in, feeling socially isolated can lead to coping through eating disorder behaviours."
What have other eating disorder services seen?
Whether it's a service specialising in treatment for autistic individuals, or a general service supporting anyone suffering from an eating disorder, a recent report suggests a 'dramatic' increase in the need for help.
Eating disorder charity Beat said its helpline received more than 2,000 phone calls in 2023 from people seeking support for ARFID – 10 per cent of the total, and that’s up from 295 calls in 2018.
ARFID is short for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, and means people avoid certain foods or limit what they eat.
It can happen for a number of reasons, including sensitivity to tastes, textures, or smells, distressing experiences while eating such as choking, and low interest in food.
Chief executive of Beat Andrew Radford said: "It's extremely worrying that there has been such a dramatic increase in those seeking support for ARFID, particularly as specialist care isn't always readily available.
"All too often we hear from people who have been unable to get treatment close to home, or have faced waits of months or even years to get the help they need."
"ARFID is an eating disorder that rarely gets the attention it deserves, and it's unacceptable that that seems to apply to funding, too."
What the NHS said:
An NHS spokesperson said: "During the pandemic, referrals for eating disorders for children increased by almost 50% and the NHS is clear that improving care for people with an eating disorder including ARFID is vital, with investment, targeted support and training helping to develop community eating disorder teams in all areas in England."
"Since 2016, investment in children and young people's community eating disorder services has risen every year, with an extra £54 million per year since last year and extra funding continues to enhance the capacity of community eating disorder teams, including the needs of those with ARFID, across the country."