Autistic Traits Found Across Various Eating Disorder Diagnoses, Linked to Greater Clinical Challenges

September 15, 2026 2 Min Read

Study Highlights Autism Traits in Diverse Eating Disorders

A recent analysis of clinical data has revealed that autistic traits are present not only in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) but also across a range of eating disorder (ED) diagnoses. These traits appear to be associated with more severe eating disorder symptoms, increased psychological distress, and difficulties in work and social functioning.

Prevalence of Autistic Traits Across Eating Disorder Types

The study retrospectively examined adults receiving treatment at a specialist ED service, including those diagnosed with restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN-R), binge-purge anorexia nervosa (AN-BP), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), atypical anorexia nervosa (A-AN), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Using the AQ-10 questionnaire to assess autistic traits (with scores ≥6 indicating elevated traits), the prevalence rates varied by diagnosis:

ARFID: 40.0%
AN-BP: 34.2%
AN-R: 31.9%
BN: 27.0%
A-AN: 26.4%
BED: 16.7%

Associations With Clinical Severity

Higher autistic trait scores were linked to increased severity of eating disorder psychopathology, greater psychological distress, and more pronounced difficulties in work and social functioning. These associations were particularly evident in individuals with AN-R and BN, as well as across the full sample.

Even after adjusting for factors such as age, gender, and duration of the eating disorder, the relationships remained significant in most cases. Notably, in the BN group, the link between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms was not significant after accounting for illness duration, though other associations persisted.

Implications for Treatment and Support

The findings suggest that autistic traits are clinically relevant across multiple eating disorder presentations, not limited to anorexia nervosa. This highlights the importance of considering autism-informed approaches within eating disorder services to better address the complex needs of individuals affected by both conditions.

Considerations and Future Directions

While the study provides valuable insights, it is based on retrospective clinical data and uses a screening tool rather than formal autism diagnoses. Further research is needed to explore how autistic traits influence treatment outcomes and to develop tailored interventions that accommodate neurodiversity within eating disorder care.

For more detailed information, see the original study here.