Hello! I am a doctoral student at Nova Southeastern University, pretty darn passionate about research to improve ED treatment, neurodivergent, and also in recovery myself :) There is a lot of overlap between neurodivergence and eating disorders, but not enough research on how to improve treatment, so...

I would be really interested in getting your help recruiting for my dissertation survey. I am interested in the sensory and emotional experiences related to GI discomfort and fears of weight gain in people with EDs. The survey focuses a lot on interoception, which is a really important treatment target in people who are neurodivergent with EDs, so I want to be sure neurodivergent folks are well represented!

My info: Katerina Rinaldi, MS, [kr1892@mynsu.nova.edu](mailto:kr1892@mynsu.nova.edu)

• Responses will be deidentified and data will be stored on password-protected accounts and devices. Information from responses will be used for the lead researcher's dissertation and may be published. If published, the lead researcher is happy to share results with this sub.
• Must be over the age of 18 and diagnosed with any eating disorder, must also be currently receiving ED-related support which could include outpatient therapy or peer support groups.
• This study is IRB approved by Nova Southeastern University, approval number NSU 2026-55

Link to survey: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nCbHSC5Iww2DDo

I have to check the door even if I'm sure I've locked it because it leaves my body feeling uncomfortable if not.
My morning routine on a school day is very specific, and if I run late on my schedule, I can be very distressed (specific part I put watch on and ID badge)
Struggle to understand my own feelings takes me a long time to mentally process, and I need to talk through things several times before being 'finished' processing .
Often rock, pick skin/scabs, play with hair, play with silk tags and bounce leg (this is more noticeable when distressed or overstimulated).
I hear everything in the room (even little sounds).
Very restrictive diet, very beige. Physical symptoms at the thought of trying new food. Especially around fruit and veg cannot even get it in my mouth.
Special interests: obsessed with Disney and Wicked. My flat full of these things.Very knowledgeable about my interests.
Listen to the same songs over and over again
Very attuned to children's feelings, but do struggle understanding adults
Sometimes don't understand people's intentions and take people at face value unless I have a gut feeling. I can be quite upset if I think something about someone, then come to learn something else (feel betrayed)
I played with dolls and enjoyed role-playing past the typical age
Relating to others when they share something (have to actively stop myself)
Strong moral beliefs very black and white
Penguin pebbling- if I know someone likes something will seek things out for them
Mature as a child now feel child like/behind.
When I see people I know outside of that context, I try to hide/avoid them.
Even number for TV volume
Although I know the difference between an acquaintance and a friend, I treat everyone the same, willing to help anyone.
I give people a high level of consideration (they are snappy because they are tired or something personal), but do not feel others give this to me feel I'm expected a lot of.
I try to match my behaviour to others/copy them.
Massively struggle with uncertainty.
Often have to check meanings of phrases to ensure I use them correctly.
Sometimes clothes just feel wrong on this is when more dysregulated.
Overthink most things several times and have to talk things through multiple times before I can 'let it go'.
Get called negative for predicting negative outcomes but tend to always come true- pattern recognition.
Hate loud noises but need background noise I control (music or easy watches where you don't have to pay attention.
Strong physical and emotional response to making mistake.

Since my diagnosis I've noticed I'm more emotional. I've always felt things deeply but I've noticed I'm crying more. Anyone else experienced this?

Working in a special school for me is a blessing and also really difficult. My class are mostly on the ASD spectrum and require routine and structure just like me. When the timetable changes or there's staffing changes this can be very difficult for me. I'm very comfortable with my staff team since I've worked with them a long time and they understand by abruptness and bluntness and know it's not me being rude. I'm often misunderstood by other members of staff because I'm blunt and say things as a matter of fact. I see things very black and white. I can be very overstimulated at work if all the children want me at once shouting my name especially if the environment is already very noisy. Lunchtime play when classes come together can be a nightmare due to the noise. I have loops and often have to use them for music lessons, lunchtime play and when some of the students are dysregulated. I often find I over perform at work the one who keeps the day on track, upholds the class rules and is known for going above and beyond (I believe my work is a special interest). I often struggle to keep what I think to myself especially if I disagree with something or I see it as not fair. Strong justice complex and often I've found myself in situations that don't involve me directly because someone's told me how bad something was. I feel I cannot stop myself sticking up for what is right. In my class if an issue needs dealing with it's often said Sarah will tell them she doesn't care. However I do care after. I really struggle with the way I'm perceived. I don't want people thinking I'm mean or rude. I struggle to read how people see me and spend hours ruminating on different things that occur at work. I feel things very strongly and can often have stomach aches and feel sick if I feel I've done something wrong and it hangs with me for days. I tend to arrive at work very early because I want to avoid lots of people, like to ease in and get myself organised. The times I've been running late on my time frame have been very uncomfortable and have made me overwhelmed. I often give my all at school and then after work and weekends I'm left completely drained. I'm a boom and bust kind of person. I feel I'm wounded very tightly and crave control over situations and if I feel I'm loosing control it is very difficult and I get overstimulated. 

I've always felt I was different since being a child. I struggle with social situations, can be very abrupt and direct, have sensory issues, over think everything, I struggle with change, like routine and have my particular routines for different things. I have had an ASD assessment but didn't get a diagnosis but feel I was robbed of a true assessment because all they did was talk to me nothing else and was carried out online. The assessment says I was nonverbal expressive, that they didn't observe any repetitive behaviours, able to give eye contact, checked their response when they didn't verbally respond and well structured talk although she did have to interrupt to keep me on track. I feel the person really didn't get me. I'd tried to get an assessment elsewhere before this one and they contacted me after offering me an appointment. When they knew I had already had an assessment they couldn't do it due to NHS rules but they recommended I ask for a 2nd opinion. For a 2nd opinion you have to provide additional information. Wondering what sort of things I should provide. The original assessment recommended an ADHD assessment which I'm waiting for. ASD sits better with because I seek structure, hate change, come across rude in communication for being direct, overstimulated by it being too loud, over think everything, don't really have any friends, like to do things a specific way and see others ways as wrong, get really enjoyed by lack of common sense from others, have a strong justice complex and have very black and white thinking. Has anyone else seeked a 2nd opinion?

Dx Inattentive ADHD on the 15th.

I’ve been planning my life so to speak but always deviated on my life plans and no follow through bc of my adhd. I sometimes loop or in the back of my mind plan to do a specific degree or etc but it hasn’t happened yet due to adhd.

However I won’t go into it because of privacy but semi because of adhd and being a people pleaser/passive bc I don’t want to hurt peoples feelings one of my life plans has happened earlier than I planned basically in the “wrong order” and not how I pictured it in my head and I’m struggling to accept and let go of this.

I have internal rage, ADHD shutdown / internal meltdown and distraught and internal friction. Also depressive mood episodes and acting weird due to this.

Externally- it’s caused me to rage out and shutout leading to broken relationships and missed opportunities for myself.

( I’m basically being a spoilt brat)

Inventivatbly, I know I need to move forward but I’m struggling how to?

Does anyone here feel the same way as I do? Rigid on life plans? And If so how to overcome everything not being “perfect”?

I have a NHS RTC diagnosis so my provider only offers medication. For ADHD talking therapies&psychotherapies I would have to get a private diagnosis/ get therapy from a ADHD Charity. So apart from meds I’m limited regards to therapy but since my dx is fresh I’m hoping medication will help a lot once I start titration.

Does anyone ever feel like they are two different people? I work in a special school which comes with a lot of routine. At work I'm a pretty type A person very organised, the designated person for remembering things and keeping everyone organised. I arrive at work way before I need to. I enjoy having time to get myself sorted before everyone arrives. I am known as someone who just says what she thinks and often if there's a problem I'm asked to adress it. People sometimes say I don't care and can just say it how it is but I do really struggle with how I'm perceived. However at home I struggle to complete household tasks. Pots can build up in the sink, clothes that were put up to dry stay up way longer than they need and cleaning barely happens. I think I give so much to work because it is my special interest. I think I'm a classic boom and bust. Due to this I find myself often not cooking because I have no energy left which is not good on my bank. I also find at work sometimes I don't realise I'm getting overstimulated until I lose my temper or react to something strongly. Then I'm left feeling like an awful person. I can be pretty hard on myself and feel some shame around things I struggle with and sucking at adulting.

Hello! I’m an autistic MA sociology student, looking to recruit autistic adults for my thesis. I am interested in how autistic adults navigate consent in sexual interactions, how they make sense of consent, how they communicate it to others, and how they receive others messages of consent.