Not all meal plan non-compliance signals treatment resistance: Accommodating autism in eating disorder treatment

In eating disorder treatment settings, meal plan compliance is often used as the objective measure of safety and recovery, which then determines readiness to step down to lower levels of care. It follows that meal plan non-compliance is assumed to be a form of treatment resistance. The reality, however, is that meal plan non-compliance is not always a sign of resistance but can also indicate a mismatch between the meal plan and the unique characteristics of the person prescribed it. In this episode, registered dietitian, Brenna Veles, discusses how traditional eating disorder recovery expectations often fail to acknowledge the unique ways people on the autism spectrum experience the world. She explores how sensory sensitivities and differences in black-and-white versus nuanced thought processes, can affect recovery. Brenna shares her personal experiences and professional insights on creating environments that foster healing, rather than encouraging masking and conformity. Brenna is a registered dietitian with advanced training in treating eating disorders through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She works with clients to manage nutrition concerns that arise with ADHD, autism, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and eating disorders, whether these are physiological, like nutrient deficiencies or high/low blood pressure, or psychological, like guilt, and anxiety. As someone who is autistic, ADHD, and queer, Brenna is deeply connected to her work. She regularly attends neurodiversity and anti-racist trainings to ensure a healing space for all clients. Brenna currently practices in Texas and Wisconsin, with plans to expand to more Midwest states, and she is accepting new clients. She can be found on her website, https://www.breadbutternutrition.com/