Autism, ADHD, & Eating Disorders: Recovery, Sensory Needs, & Late Diagnosis With Margo White, CPN @margo_wholebodynutrition

What if the eating challenges you have struggled with were never just about food? In this deeply validating and expansive conversation, Dr. Marianne sits down with Margo White, CPN, to explore the intersection of autism, ADHD, and eating disorders through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. Margo shares her lived experience of being late-identified as autistic and ADHD, and how years of unmet needs, sensory overwhelm, and trauma shaped her relationship with food, her body, and herself. This episode gently reframes eating disorders not as isolated problems, but as meaningful adaptations that develop in response to a nervous system trying to survive. Autism, ADHD, and Eating Disorders: Understanding the Overlap Autism and ADHD are closely connected with eating disorders, yet this relationship is often misunderstood or overlooked in traditional treatment models. Margo shares how her neurodivergent brain shaped her early experiences, including sensory sensitivities, difficulty feeling connected, and a persistent sense of not fitting in. Without the language or support to understand these experiences, food became a place of predictability, comfort, and regulation. This conversation expands the narrative around anorexia and other eating disorders by exploring how they can emerge from unmet needs, overwhelm, and the need for safety, rather than solely from body image concerns. Late Diagnosis of Autism and ADHD: A Turning Point in Recovery Receiving a late diagnosis of autism and ADHD can be a profound shift. Margo describes this as a “lightbulb moment,” where years of confusion and self-blame suddenly made sense. Patterns that once felt like personal failures became understandable responses to a neurodivergent brain navigating a world that was not built for it. This reframe is often a critical piece of healing. When people understand their brain, they can begin to meet their needs more directly, which can significantly change their relationship with food and reduce reliance on eating disorder behaviors. Sensory Needs, Food Preferences, and ARFID A core part of this conversation focuses on sensory needs and how they shape eating. Many autistic and ADHD individuals experience strong preferences around texture, temperature, predictability, and even the utensils they use. Margo and Dr. Marianne explore how these preferences are often mislabeled as disordered when they are actually reflections of a neurodivergent nervous system. They discuss how something as simple as using a specific spoon or eating foods in a certain order can be rooted in sensory comfort rather than pathology. The conversation also highlights the overlap between ARFID and neurodivergence, and how nervous system regulation can expand flexibility with food over time. Rather than forcing exposure or compliance, a neurodivergent-affirming approach centers safety, choice, and collaboration. Anorexia, Trauma, and the Search for Safety Margo shares openly about her experience with anorexia and how it developed within the context of bullying, low self-worth, and unmet emotional needs. Food and restriction became ways to create structure and a sense of control when everything else felt overwhelming and unpredictable. This part of the episode reframes eating disorders as protective strategies. While harmful, they often emerge to help someone cope with distress, regulate emotions, or navigate an environment that feels unsafe. Understanding this function can shift how we approach recovery, moving away from blame and toward compassion. Neurodivergent-Affirming Eating Disorder Recovery Recovery, especially for neurodivergent people, is not about forcing oneself into rigid food rules or expectations. Margo shares how her healing involved learning about her brain, honoring her sensory needs, and creating environments that felt safe enough for her nervous system to relax. Instead of trying to eliminate comfort eating or achieve perfection with food, she learned to build flexibility and trust. Recovery became less about control and more about responsiveness, allowing her to eat in ways that supported her body while respecting her sensory experiences. This approach offers a powerful alternative to traditional models that can unintentionally increase shame or overwhelm. Body Changes, Weight Gain, and Healing from Weight Stigma A deeply important part of recovery is navigating body changes. Margo speaks candidly about gaining weight in recovery and how this brought up past trauma from being bullied in a larger body. These experiences did not disappear simply because her behaviors changed. Instead, they required ongoing processing and support. This section explores how weight stigma shapes both eating disorders and recovery, and how individuals can begin to build safety and acceptance in their bodies over time. Margo also speaks about reclaiming the word “fat” as neutral, separating it from the harm that society has attached to it. ARFID in Autism and ADHD: Supporting Families Margo also shares about her upcoming parent course designed to support families navigating ARFID in children and teens. Grounded in a neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed approach, the course focuses on reducing pressure, increasing safety, and rebuilding connection around food. The course addresses how ARFID intersects with other experiences such as PDA, OCD, trauma, and burnout, and offers practical ways for caregivers to create predictable, supportive environments. Rather than focusing on compliance, the emphasis is on collaboration, understanding, and meeting the child where they are. From Survival to Flexibility: What Recovery Can Look Like One of the most powerful themes in this episode is the shift from survival to flexibility. Margo reflects on how her relationship with food has changed, including moments where she can now eat in environments that once felt overwhelming or unsafe. These shifts are not about forcing change, but about building enough safety and support that new possibilities become accessible. Recovery does not mean thoughts never return. It means having the awareness and tools to respond differently, with more compassion and less fear. Connect With Margo White, CPN You can connect with Margo on Instagram at @margo_wholebodynutrition and learn more about her work at wholebodynutrition.com.au, where she shares resources and support for neurodivergent individuals and families navigating eating challenges. Related Episodes “Stuck” Isn’t Lazy: Inertia in ADHD, Autism, & Eating Disorder Recovery With Stacie Fanelli, LCSW on Apple & Spotify. Autism & Eating Challenges: Understanding Sensory Needs, Routines, & Safety on Apple & Spotify. Eating Disorders & ADHD: Neurodivergent-Affirming Recovery With Taylor Ashley, RP @taylorashleytherapy on Apple & Spotify. Work With Dr. Marianne Dr. Marianne offers eating disorder therapy, coaching, and consultation for individuals navigating binge eating disorder, ARFID, anorexia, and bulimia. Her work is neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and rooted in autonomy and collaboration. Services are available in California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and globally. To learn more or get started, visit drmariannemiller.com.