This study explores autistic women’s experiences of eating disorder services. Estimates suggest that 20%–30% of women in treatment for anorexia nervosa display diagnostic features characteristic of autism. Research suggests that autistic individuals’ needs are not being met by standard anorexia nervosa treatments. In the current study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 autistic women with experience of anorexia nervosa, 12 parents of autistic women with anorexia nervosa, and 11 eating disorder healthcare professionals. Using thematic analysis, three overarching themes were identified: misunderstanding autism and autistic traits, one treatment does not fit all, and improving accessibility and engagement within services. We found that there were diverse barriers facing autistic women when in treatment for anorexia nervosa, and these were accentuated by a lack of autism understanding within eating disorder services. Future research should focus on developing interventions that are tailored to the specific needs of autistic individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Lay Abstract

This study explores autistic women’s experiences of eating disorder services. About 20%–30% of people with anorexia nervosa are also autistic, and current treatments seem not to work as well for them. We interviewed 15 autistic women with experience of anorexia nervosa, 12 parents of autistic women with anorexia nervosa, and 11 healthcare professionals working in eating disorder services. We asked autistic women and parents about their experiences of eating disorder services, and we asked healthcare professionals about their experiences treating autistic women with anorexia nervosa. Participants’ views were represented by three overall themes: misunderstanding autism and autistic traits, one treatment does not fit all, and improving accessibility and engagement within services. We found that autistic women face many barriers when in treatment for anorexia nervosa, often because of a lack of autism understanding within eating disorder services. Future research should look at developing anorexia nervosa treatments that can specifically help autistic individuals.

中文翻译：

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“这并不是说他们不想获得支持。” 。 。这就是自闭症的影响”：从自闭症女性、家长和医疗保健专业人员的角度来看饮食失调服务的经验

这项研究探讨了自闭症女性接受饮食失调服务的经历。据估计，20%–30% 接受神经性厌食症治疗的女性表现出自闭症的诊断特征。研究表明，标准的神经性厌食症治疗无法满足自闭症患者的需求。在当前的研究中，对15名有神经性厌食症经历的自闭症女性、12名患有神经性厌食症的自闭症女性的父母以及11名饮食失调医疗保健专业人员进行了深入访谈。通过主题分析，确定了三个首要主题：对自闭症和自闭症特征的误解、一种治疗方法并不适合所有人，以及提高服务的可及性和参与度。我们发现，自闭症女性在治疗神经性厌食症时面临着多种障碍，而饮食失调服务机构缺乏对自闭症的了解，加剧了这些障碍。未来的研究应侧重于制定针对神经性厌食症自闭症患者特定需求的干预措施。

 外行摘要

这项研究探讨了自闭症女性接受饮食失调服务的经历。大约 20%–30% 的神经性厌食症患者同时患有自闭症，目前的治疗似乎对他们效果不佳。我们采访了 15 名患有神经性厌食症的自闭症女性、12 名患有神经性厌食症的自闭症女性的父母，以及 11 名从事饮食失调服务的医疗保健专业人员。我们向自闭症女性和家长询问了他们接受饮食失调服务的经历，并向医疗保健专业人员询问了他们治疗患有神经性厌食症的自闭症女性的经历。参与者的观点由三个总体主题代表：对自闭症和自闭症特征的误解、一种治疗方法并不适合所有人、以及提高服务的可及性和参与度。我们发现，自闭症女性在治疗神经性厌食症时面临许多障碍，通常是因为饮食失调服务机构缺乏对自闭症的了解。未来的研究应该着眼于开发能够专门帮助自闭症患者的神经性厌食症治疗方法。