Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA) presents NeurospicED: a podcast sharing neurodivergent voices with lived experience of eating disorders. EDNA focuses on promoting neurodiversity-affirming care for neurodivergents affected by eating disorders. Content discussed in our podcast episodes may vary but will often involve potentially distressing and triggering topics. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of self-care. Please call the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or 000 in the case of an emergency. Visit our website for more information: www.edneuroaus.com
Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast.Our 16th Episode features Margo White (she/her) and Laurence is the host. Margo takes the time to explain her upbringing as an undiagnosed neurodivergent and how this has impacted her eating and feeding, and how learning to understand and embrace her differences has been instrumental in her recovery.We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required:- The Butterfly National helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE)- The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636- Call 000 in an emergencyMusic extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 15th Episode features Alex (he/him) and Maud is the host. Alex, is cis-gender man and late-diagnosed AuDHDer. He shares his experiences of growing up not knowing he was neurodivergent, and how he started to believe that to be accepted and valued by his peers he had to change his body size and shape. He reflects on the intersection between his neurodivergence and eating disorder and how he learned to shift his relationship with exercise from a place of harm to self-care. He also expands on what was helpful in ED recovery and mental health self-care and wraps up the episode with insightful messages to anyone who identifies as men and experiencing an eating disorder. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly National helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. We would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people, the traditional custodians of the land this podcast is being recorded from and pay our respects to the Elders past and present. Our 14th episode features Korey (they/she) and Laurence is the host. Korey is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC) with a passion for helping people of all shapes, sizes, identities and abilities to develop a healthier relationship with food, their mind and their bodies. They have a special interest working with diverse and intersectional presentations of eating disorders and feeding challenges. Korey draws upon principles of Health At Every Size (HAES®), the Non-Diet Approach, and their lived experiences to guide their practice, with passionate commitment and advocacy for safe, trauma-informed, weight inclusive, identity affirming, and personalised care. In this episode, Korey expresses the impact of growing up an undiagnosed neurodivergent has had on their self-esteem and overall well being, and how this has in turn affected their eating and body image. Further, Korey explains that their literal thinking, along with social masking, have contributed to developing an eating disorder. Korey also highlights the importance of connecting with fellow members of the community sharing similar lived experience of eating disorders as this has helped them find a sense of acceptance. If you enjoy listening to our podcast, please donate to help us continue do the work that we are so passionate about: https://www.edneuroaus.com/donate We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly National helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 13th episode features Ari Spanos (they/she) and Laurence is the host. Ari is a dietitian and credentialed eating disorder clinician who focuses on empowering their clients through gender and neurodiversity-affirming as well as non-diet practices. They are also passionate about promoting social justice within eating disorder care, through person-centred approaches rather than one size fits all frameworks. In this episode, Ari shares their experience of growing up an undiagnosed autistic ADHDer, and how this has impacted on their sense of self and eating patterns. They mention that masking (also referred to as camouflaging) has been part of their eating disorder development, to avoid being discriminated against and rejected. Ari also discusses how being queer and gender non-binary has influenced their body image. They emphasize the importance for neurodivergent people struggling with eating disorders to connect with the neurodivergent community as this has been a very important aspect of their eating disorder recovery because it provided feelings of validation and acceptance. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly National helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 12th Episode features Phaedra Longhurst (she/her) and Maud is the host. In this episode, Phaedra shares what it was like to grow up with an autism diagnosis in the UK and explains that, like for many late diagnosed autistic adults, she had to work hard to address her internalised ableism and develop a positive sense of self in adulthood. She talks about the factors that have influenced the development of her eating disorder and how developing a meal routine that works for her has been immensely helpful. She also discusses the potential of adapting intuitive eating for autistic persons and talks about her research on body image among autistic folks. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly National helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. This episode is the second part (part B) of Mandy's chat with Anna (episode 9). Mandy is an ADHDer registered psychologist with lived experience of an eating disorder characterised by bingeing and purging. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. This episode features Mandy Nolan (she/her) and Anna is the host. Mandy is an ADHDer registered psychologist with lived experience of an eating disorder characterised by bingeing and purging. This episode has been divided into two parts: A and B. While we were intending to release this episode earlier (episode 9), we have been delayed in the process. In this episode, Mandy shares her journey through neurodivergence identification as she was diagnosed with ADHD in high school. She also discusses topics related to feelings of loneliness and belongingness. Mandy further shares her experience of having an eating disorder and undergoing treatment as an ADHDer. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 11th episode features Kellie (she/her) and Maud is the host. Kellie is a cis woman and a late-diagnosed ADHDer. She shares her experiences of being invalidated and dismissed by healthcare providers when she initially sought an ADHD diagnosis. Kellie also reflects on how ADHD influenced her food choices, eating patterns, and eating disorder presentation. She further highlights the critical importance of finding an open-minded care team validating her experiences and helping her find the “right tools" for her unique brain. Finding the right neurodiversity-affirming care team, Kellie explains, has been instrumental in her eating disorder recovery journey. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's podcast. Our 10th episode features Kai Schweizer (they/he). Kai is a qualified sexologist with interests in sexuality, gender, and trans health. They were working as a youth worker before starting a PhD recently at the University of Western Australia in Perth. During this episode, Kai shares their experiences related to being a trans individual and receiving a late AuDHD identification (Autism and ADHD combined), and how these have influenced their eating disorder journey. Kai was initially diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and their disordered eating behaviours have been misattributed to this diagnosis instead of an eating disorder. As such, Kai's eating disorder diagnosis (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder/ARFID) was delayed. However, Kai was able to find neurodiversity-affirming healthcare providers that have helped him tremendously. Kai also expresses how much being diagnosed as neurodivergent has been instrumental in gaining the level of self-awareness and self-acceptance that are particularly crucial for eating disorder recovery. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 8th episode features Nic (she/her) and Elysia is the host. In this episode, Nic shares her experiences associated with late identified neurodivergence, eating disorder, as well as weight stigma. Nic is an intersectional feminist and a prolific activist whose work focuses on fat acceptance, neurodiversity, chronic illness, and mental health. --> Nic's website Nic's Fat Positive Practice Guidebook
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 7th episode features Rosiel (they/them) and Laurence is the host. In this episode, Rosiel shares their struggles related to chronic mental ill-health, including a restrictive eating disorder. Rosiel also talks about their journey of neurodivergent self-discovery and how it has been a positive driver of self-acceptance. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Particularly, this episode discusses inpatient admissions, restraint events, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 6th episode features Julian (he/him) and Anna is the host. In this episode, Julian shares his story of how recently identifying that he is autistic and embracing a positive autistic identity have positively influenced his overall wellbeing, including his experience of bulimia nervosa. Julian and Anna talk about the impact of socioeconomic dynamics, misdiagnoses, the risks vs benefits of engaging or not engaging in treatment, and how safety, permission, and understanding of neurodivergence have been pivotal in Julian improving his relationship with eating and overall wellbeing. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 5th episode features Hannah (she/her) and Laurence is the host. During this episode, Hannah shares her experience of a restrictive eating disorder and late autism identification. Hannah also expresses how factors related to autism influenced her eating disorder as well as her experiences with the healthcare system, including inpatient treatment. She further reflects on what can be done to improve. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 4th episode features Rebecca (she/her) and Anna is the host. Rebecca takes the time to share how neurodivergence is intertwined with mental health, particularly body image, eating, and feeding. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 3rd episode features Livia (she/her) and Laurence is the host. Livia shares her experience of growing up an undiagnosed autistic with an eating disorder. She explains how autism has influenced her eating disorder and the ways in which it has impacted her treatment as well as recovery journey. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures ©
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our 2nd episode features Chantel (they/them) and Anna is the host. During this episode, Chantel shares their experience of neurodivergent diagnosis and self-discovery as well as their journey with body image disturbances and eating disorders. We are very grateful that Chantel took the time to share their experience with us and we hope that this will help raise awareness about key aspects relating to the different ways in which neurodivergent people experience body image disturbances and eating disorders. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency Music extracts: Illenium, Fractures © During part 4, Anna mentions a recently published article which discusses autistic people's insistence on sameness with regards to food choices. This is the link if you wish to read it: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13623613221121417 Citation: Park-Cardoso, J., & Silva. (2022). Insistence on sameness for food space appropriation: An exploratory study on Brazilians with autism (self-)diagnosis in adulthood. Autism, 0(0).
Welcome to this episode of NeurospicED, Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia's (EDNA) podcast. Our first guest is Meghan Zadow (she/her). Meghan is an Autistic/ADHDer with lived experience of 'atypical' anorexia. Along with the host Annie, Meghan will open up about the various ways her neurodivergent identity has intersected with her eating disorder. We would like to remind you that this episode discusses topics that may be distressing for some. Therefore, we would like to emphasise the importance of accessing support services if required: - The Butterfly Foundation helpline: 1800 33 4673 - The Beyond Blue helpline: 1300 22 4636 - Call 000 in an emergency