Working with Neurodivergent Patients with Eating Disorders

Event Information:

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Address: Maggiano’s Little Italy

Tysons Galleria, 2001 International Dr.,

McLean, Virginia, 22102

Tickets:

$15 for Members, $35 for Non-Members,

$5 for Students

*If cost is a barrier - please reach out! We have tickets available to those who would benefit!

For Questions, email: iaedpdcmetro@gmail.com

Lunch Provided

Schedule of Events:

11:00 - 11:20 a.m. Networking and Lunch

11:20 - 2:00 p.m. Presentation and Q & A

Speakers:

Kim Anderson, PhD, CEDS

Executive Director

Dr. Kim Anderson is the Executive Director at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center. She currently oversees clinical programming at both the Maryland and Ohio locations. Dr. Anderson is a licensed clinical psychologist who has focused her career on treatment for individuals with eating disorders. She developed and directed the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, before joining Eating Recovery Center in 2019. Dr. Anderson serves as clinical supervisor for staff at all levels, providing specialized training and consultation on evidence-based treatments for eating disorders and other behavioral disorders. She provides individual, family, and group psychotherapy, supervises the implementation of clinical research protocols, and participates in the development of novel research on the treatment of eating disorders. She has been treating patients with eating disorders in the Baltimore area for over 25 years.

Caitlin Royster, RD, LDN

Nutrition Director

Caitlin Royster is the Nutrition Director at Eating Recovery Center Hunt Valley and

Bethesda locations. She earned her BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University

and completed her dietetic internship with a concentration in clinical nutrition research at

the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

Prior to joining ERC Pathlight in 2020, Caitlin served as nutrition care coordinator for

inpatient, PHP, and IOP programming at The Center for Eating Disorder at Sheppard

Pratt. Her areas of specialization include family-empowered nutrition care for adolescent

eating disorders and ARFID treatment in higher levels of care. Caitlin is passionate

about developing competent and caring eating disorder dietitians. She is a member of

the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEED).

Abstract:

Research is beginning to show there is a significant overlap between neurodivergence and those struggling with eating disorders. Behavioral health providers should educate themselves on what contributes to the diagnostic overlap between neurodivergent individuals and eating disorders. This presentation will review the literature describing traits associated with neurodiversity (especially ASD and ADHD) and with eating disorder (ED) diagnoses (e.g., AN, ARFID), discussing the presentation of comorbid traits and diagnoses and the implications for treating eating disorder symptoms in individuals who have neurodivergent traits. Presenters will use clinical examples and provide practical adaptations and treatment modifications in eating disorders treatment to optimize outcomes.

Objectives: (What will the audience take away from this presentation?):

1. List at least three considerations impacting treatment interventions of some neurodivergent

patients with eating disorders.

2. Name two possible barriers to treatment unique to neurodivergent patients.

3. List three nutrition interventions to support some neurodivergent patients in their eating

disorder recovery process.

CEUS approved by NBCC