Neurodiversity Affirming Eating Disorder Care for Dietitians Workshop

About this event

Date: Tuesday 8 October

Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm (Perth) / 10:00am-7:00pm (Brisbane) / 10:30am - 7:30pm (Adelaide) / 11:00am - 8:00pm (Melb/Syd)

Feeding difficulties and eating disorders (ED) are more prevalent among neurodivergent people* but current ED treatment modalities tend to be less effective for this population group than for neurotypical persons. To improve treatment experiences and outcomes for neurodivergent people, there is a need for clinicians to develop their understanding of neurodivergence, how it influences the ED experience, and how to adapt treatments and services in a way that is aligned principles of neurodiversity affirming care.

Learning objectives of this workshop will include:

• Define neurodiversity affirming care and describe what that it looks like in practice
• Understand unique factors (e.g., sensory processing, minority stress, executive functioning) that may contribute to body image-related distress and eating disorders for the neurodivergent population
• Recognise the limitations in current theory and practice for assessing and treating body image-related distress and eating disorders among neurodivergent individuals
• Outline practice points for consideration in dietetics sessions and meal support through case studies
• Identify additional self-learning opportunities

* While neurodivergence does not “just” mean autism and ADHD, this workshop will mainly focus on supporting autistic persons and ADHDers.

About the presenter

Dr Maud Archard (she/they) is an autistic Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Nutritionist (APD) and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC). She understands that different brains mean different needs and is passionate about offering trauma informed and neurodiversity-affirming services to better support children, adolescent, and adults with feeding differences and/or eating disorder. She has seven years experience working in hospital, community services specialising in mental health and holds a position on the board of Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA).
As part of her role at EDNA, Maud develops trainings material for health professionals wanting upskill in neurodiversity affirming eating disorder care. She also offers 1:1 supervision, runs supervision groups for QuEDS, and organises workshops for health professionals / eating disorder services to help create a more accessible, safe, and supportive space for all the diversity of minds out there.

Education provided at this skill building workshop is suitable for dietitians across all care settings. It is assumed dietitians attending this training already possess the qualifications, knowledge, training, and professional development profile to meet minimum standards in line with the ANZAED dietetic practice standards.

Through the day attendees will be provided with didactic, interactive and experiential practise opportunities.

By attending this workshop it is implied that attendees understand the foundations of evidence based dietetic management for eating disorders