EDNA Factsheet - Inpatient Care

This Information Sheet was developed by Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia.

Hospital stays can be distressing for neurodivergent patients for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, differences in communication (e.g., difficulties expressing needs due to alexithymia and/or poor interoception, medical trauma from being misunderstood by clinical staff), sensory processing (e.g., exposure to loud noise and bright lights), and demand avoidance (e.g., having to abide by expectations and demands).

The objective of this document is to provide hospital-based clinical staff with key insights and practical suggestions for working with neurodivergent individuals with eating disorders. Some core considerations to help
create a more accessible and inclusive hospital environment and care are therefore listed. Please note that this resource is intended to be used in conjunction with the General Considerations for All Health and Allied
Health Professionals factsheet and relevant discipline-specific factsheets (e.g., Dietitians, Mental Health Professionals).