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This episode we speak to Jessica Horner about eating disorders and their prevalence within the autistic community. We recommend you read her highly praised article over at ABC Everyday. Jessica is a Regional Storyteller Scholarship recipient for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and is focusing her scholarship on the topic of how autistic adults go about daily life in Australia through writing, audio and photojournalism. She is also a freelance writer, photographer and visual artist with a small art business called Spoonfuls of Whimsy.

Further research

• Read the article Autism, Eating Disorders and Me over at the Butterfly Foundation 
• Amaze website and free national autism helpline 1300 308 699
• Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA) is an advocacy organisation that supports neurodivergent Australians affected by eating disorders.
• Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) offers an ARFID support group. More information can be found here.  
• Peace (Pathways for Eating Disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience) website has a great deal of information and resources for people with autism and eating disorders and their carers and clinicians.  

How to approach someone you’re concerned about

It’s normal to feel scared, confused, frustrated or upset when someone you know is experiencing an eating disorder. But intervening early can have a stark difference on an eating disorder’s severity and duration.

If you’re not sure where to start, download the Eating Disorder Alliance’s factsheet, Early Intervention for Eating Disorders: Conversation Starters.