Neurodiversity Affirming Nutrition: Embracing Unique Perspectives

Maddy Baumgart
Aug 11, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Aug 14

Navigating the world of nutrition can be a complex and overwhelming journey for many individuals, especially those who are neurodivergent. Understanding and embracing neurodiversity in the context of nutrition is crucial for creating inclusive and supportive spaces for individuals of all backgrounds.

A young boy looking our of the corner of his eyes, wearing a pair of headphones with a neutral expression on his face.

Before we dive into neurodivergent nutrition, let's starts with some terminology.

Neurotypical - a term used to describe individuals whose brain functions and ways of processing information are the most common in society, and therefore seen at typical.

Neurodivergent - a term that arose from the neurodiversity movement led by Kassiana Asasumasu, a multiply neurodivergent activist; refers to all individuals whose brain functionality differs from the most common (neurotypical). Individuals can be born as neurodivergent or it can be acquired.

See below for a wonderful, colourful graphic explaining all by Sonny Jane from livedexperienceeducator.com

A visual of the Neurodivergent Umbrella by Sonny Jane Wise which shows words of all different types underneath. Some include autism, ADHD, OCD, dyspraxia, bipolar, giftedness and eating disorders.

Neurodiversity affirming nutrition honours all brains types, and strives to support neurodivergent individuals with their eating, in a way that celebrates their differences.

Mainstream nutrition approaches may inadvertently cause harm to neurodivergent individuals by expecting neurotypical outcomes. An example of this may be the expectation that someone who is exposed to food enough times will eventually learn to eat it. This is not true for many people, and in fact repeated food exposure may cause feeding trauma and put the individual in a worse place.

When working with neurodivergent clients (which is pure joy), I draw from current evidence informed feeding models and apply the parts that are safe to my clients.

This may include:

SAFETY by Lucy Smith and Andrea Parker at Exhale Psychology.
Ellyn Satter Institute - Division of Responsibility in Feeding.
RAVES by Shane Jeffrey at River Oak Health.
The Plate-by-Plate Approach.
An awareness of "spoons theory" and help with how to honour spoons available when eating and preparing food.
My favourite is Responsive Feeding Therapy You can read more about this approach in the paper below: