Autism in Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding autism in child and adolescent eating disorders: Lived and clinical perspectives
IRAS ID
364340
Contact name
Heather Cogger-Ward
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
000, 000
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to understand how autism is recognised, understood, and supported in children and adolescents with eating disorders, from both clinical and lived perspectives. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can affect autistic young people in ways that are not always well understood by services. Despite growing awareness of the overlap between autism and eating disorders, there is limited research exploring how this is addressed within NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and how it impacts care and recovery.
By hearing from both groups, the research aims to identify gaps and good practice to inform future service improvements and support more personalised, neurodiversity-affirming care.
To answer these questions, the study will use semi-structured interviews with clinicians and autistic young people currently receiving care from NHS CAMHS eating disorder services. Around sixteen participants will be recruited across sites in Nottingham, Lincoln, and Leicester (approximately eight clinicians and eight young people). Interviews will take place either face-to-face in a confidential NHS setting, or remotely via Microsoft Teams, depending on participant preference. If interviews are virtual, participants may choose whether or not to keep their camera on. Each interview will last approximately 60–90 minutes.
Interviews will be both audio and video-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically to identify shared experiences and perspectives. Participants will have the option to disable video and all video recordings on Microsoft Teams will be converted to audio files.
. The study will run for twelve months, approximately from June 2026 to June 2027. Findings will be used to develop practical recommendations for improving autism recognition and support within NHS eating disorder pathways.
This research is being undertaken by student Eleanor Hughes (Lead Researcher) as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, supervised by Dr Heather Cogger-Ward (Chief Investigator).
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SW/0032
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion