Finding a Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
CW: Mention of co-occurring neurodivergence and eating disorders
If you identify as neurodivergent, finding nutrition support that works with your wiring can be a challenge.
Sometimes, it’s the way information is presented - not all methods are effective for everyone.
Or, it might be the communication style. We don’t expect to make eye contact all the time.
Other factors may include the more specific challenges that the neurodivergent community might face with nutrition, like sensory sensitivities, social eating, or co-occurring medical conditions.
Let’s wade through all this together. Hi! I’m Melinda Staehling, MS, CNS. I’m an Oregon-based Certified Nutrition Specialist and gifted, AuDHDer (autistic and ADHD). As someone with a late-in-life AuDHD diagnosis and my own basket of health issues, I know that finding the proper support can make a big difference.
In this post, we’ll explore:
What’s the Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian
What’s a Neurodivergent-Affirming Healthcare Practitioner
What to look for when finding a Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
What are the Specialties of a Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
Why should my Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist also be Weight Inclusive?
Where to Look: Finding Your Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
Final Thoughts
What’s the Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian?
First, a little about word choice and the distinction between nutritionists and dietitians.
In the U.S., the term “dietitian” typically refers to a Registered Dietitian. Registered Dietitians receive specialized education in dietetics; formerly, a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree was required, and now, a Master’s degree. They go on to a 1000+ hour dietetic internship and pass a board exam.
I love RDs! I have learned so much from RDs on my journey to becoming the nutrition professional I am - from case consultations and supervision, to coaching on taking insurance.
The term “nutritionist” encompasses a much broader scope. It’s essential to be cautious here, as anyone can claim to be a “nutritionist.” The term and title “Licensed Nutritionist” are protected in some states.
Some people have PhDs in nutrition, and “nutritionist” might be the best word to describe their work, while others went to a 6-week online course and use the same title. Buyer beware.
My board certification is “Certified Nutrition Specialist.” Or, as we like to call ourselves, CNSs. Our training includes at minimum a Master’s degree in nutrition, at least 1000 hours of supervised practice experience, and passing a rigorous board exam. I’m also happy to call myself a nutritionist.
As a second career nutritionist (you can read a little more about my first career, HERE, I chose to become a CNS because I knew I wanted to work in private practice, one-on-one with clients, and not in a hospital or community nutrition setting.
So, one of the first steps in finding a neurodivergent-affirming nutritionist or dietitian is to learn more about their training, qualifications, and experience.
What is a Neurodivergent-Affirming Healthcare Practitioner, Exactly?
Whether you've been in neurodivergent spaces for a while, or you're just starting to explore what feels like home for your brain, you may have heard the phrase “neurodivergent-affirming.”
But what does that mean in practice, especially when you're trying to choose a healthcare provider, nutritionist, or dietitian?
As an AuDHDer myself, what I want is a provider who respects and honors the way my brain works without trying to “fix” me.
Being neurodivergent-affirming means approaching neurodivergence as a natural part of human diversity. It’s kind of like being left-handed, having freckles, or speaking a different language. It’s just how we’re wired.
So, in the context of healthcare, or food and body stuff, what does being affirming look like?
It means:
Not assuming that executive function challenges are “just laziness.”
Recognizing that sensory needs related to food (such as texture, smell preferences, or even visual presentation) are authentic and valid. They’re not something to be trained out of you.
Offering accommodations without you having to ask for them or feel broken for needing them.
Seeing your neurodivergence as a vital part of your whole self. Not something separate from your identity.
Now, do all providers need to be neurodivergent themselves to be a good healthcare partner? Nope.
It can be lovely when they are, and there’s a shared-language ease that can come with it, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is that they get it.
That they’ve done some inner and outer work, listened to disabled and neurodivergent voices, and are committed to curiosity, care, and not making assumptions.
For me, a neurodivergent-affirming nutritionist or dietitian isn’t going to shame me for eating the same meal repeatedly, or needing my food prep to be highly routine.
They’re going to help me work with my brain, not against it.
What to Look for When Searching for a Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian?
A neurodivergent identity can mean and look like different things to different people.
While there are some characterizations of neurotypes that are defining features of ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent identities (dyspraxia, OCD, bipolar), no two people are the same, and we are all people before our diagnoses.
Let’s be honest - nutrition can be a field that’s full of rules. “Eat more whole, unprocessed foods.” “Cook from scratch.” “Avoid packaged snacks.”
These kinds of messages can feel overwhelming or even shame-inducing for anyone, but especially so for autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent people.
That “processed” protein bar, smoothie, or “packaged” supplement shake? That might be the most accessible, least stressful, lowest sensory-input option. And if it’s helping you get the nourishment to function, that’s a win.
A neurodivergent-affirming provider understands that. They're not trying to fit you into a mold. They're helping you build a sustainable pattern that works with your actual brain and life, without friction.
Factors to Consider in Finding a Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
Cost & Accessibility Are the services affordable? Do they accept insurance, offer a sliding scale option, or provide superbills for reimbursement?
Identity & Lived Experience Is it important to you if they are also neurodivergent? For some, having a provider who shares a similar lived experience feels more comfortable and validating. Others might not mind as long as the provider is compassionate and informed.
Stage of Life Focus Some nutritionists specialize in pediatrics or working with families, while others are more familiar with adult clients navigating work, relationships, or post-diagnosis identity shifts. You want someone who gets the context of your life stage.
Knowledge of Neurodivergent Culture If they aren’t neurodivergent themselves, are they immersed in the community? Do they seem familiar with everyday neurodivergent experiences, such as time differences or sensory overload? An affirming practitioner will either already know these things or be genuinely open and eager to learn.
Accommodations & Flexibility Are you welcome to stimulate, snack, turn off your camera, or fidget during the session? Do they ask what support looks like for you instead of assuming? These seemingly small things make a big difference and signal psychological safety.
Respect for Self-Diagnosis The barriers to formal diagnosis are very real: cost, racism, sexism, insurance barriers, medical gaslighting, and the lack of provider education. A neurodivergent-affirming provider will respect self-diagnosis as valid and won’t gatekeep support.
Green Flags: Some Signs They’re Neurodivergent-Affirming
🌱 They meet you where you are – No shame, no judgment. Whether you’re eating fewer foods or thriving on a meal plan, they work with what’s real for you right now.
🌱 They don’t try to “fix” you – Neurodivergence isn’t something to be treated or cured. It’s a part of you. Affirming providers know that.
🌱 They help you find new strategies – Not one-size-fits-all protocols or plans. They work with you to explore creative, compassionate ways to support your body and brain.
🌱 They recognize intersectionality – Being neurodivergent often intersects with other identities (such as race, gender, class, and disability), and they acknowledge and respect those layers.
🌱 They understand the nuance – They might know terms like RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) or PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance, or better yet, Persistent Drive for Autonomy) and recognize that not all neurodivergent traits show up in DSM checkboxes.
🌱 They encourage team building – Affirming providers might recommend peer support, other professionals, or resources that help you build your village.
Red Flags: Signs They Might Not Be a Fit
These are signs a provider might not yet be neurodivergent-affirming, or that their approach could feel harmful or incompatible with your needs:
🚩 They use rigid protocols – If there’s only one right way to do things, that doesn’t leave much space for flexibility or nuance.
🚩 They talk about “treating” or “fixing” autism or ADHD – That kind of language shows a medicalized, pathologizing mindset that can feel invalidating.
🚩 They default to person-first language – While preferences vary, many in the autistic and ADHD communities prefer identity-first language (e.g., “autistic person” instead of “person with autism”).
🚩 They push restrictive food rules or elimination diets – Unless you’re dealing with a medical allergy or intolerance, cutting foods and food groups out can do more harm than good, especially when executive function is already a struggle.
🚩 They don’t acknowledge sensory needs – If they dismiss texture aversions or try to “expose” you to disliked foods without consent, that’s a major red flag.
🚩 They emphasize supplements to “treat” neurodivergence – While supplements can help address deficiencies (like low iron or vitamin D), they do not cure neurodivergence. Anyone trying to sell that idea is probably not working from an affirming model.
A Different Kind of Care
It’s important to say this clearly: neurodivergence cannot be "fixed" with a diet. And any provider promising a “cure” through supplements, cleanses, or restrictive plans is walking a very ableist, and often harmful line.
But that doesn’t mean nutrition isn’t powerful. It is.
An affirming nutrition practitioner doesn’t try to treat neurodivergence with broccoli or turn your brain “typical” with a meal plan. Instead, they aim to help you feel more resourced, more nourished, and more capable of moving through the day. That might mean:
Helping you find safe, approachable foods that don’t trigger symptoms.
Identifying ways to boost energy and reduce crashes through stable meals.
Supporting hydration and electrolyte balance (key for conditions like POTS).
Navigating fatigue or limited mobility with low-effort meals.
Validating your reality and offering tools.
Person-Centered, Evidence-Based, and Rooted in Compassion
Affirming nutrition care isn’t about chasing a perfect diet or plan. It’s about building a realistic and sustainable approach, one that honors both the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent and chronically ill bodies.
A great provider won’t expect you to be “on” all the time. They’ll understand you might have flare days, sensory shutdowns, or weeks where cooking just isn’t happening. And they’ll help you create backup plans, gentle structure, and routines that feel like support, not pressure.
They might not know everything about every condition (and truly, who could?), but the best providers are curious, collaborative, and aware of how all these layers interact.
What are the Specialties of an Affirming, Neurodivergent Nutritionist or Dietitian?
If you’re neurodivergent and also living with a chronic health condition (or several), you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it.
Many neurodivergent people live in bodies that carry more: more fatigue, more pain, more sensitivities, more complexity.
Whether it’s migraine that wipes out your appetite, POTS that makes standing long enough to cook feel impossible, or GI symptoms making every meal a gamble, chronic conditions add another layer to the already nuanced Neurodivergent experience.
This overlap isn’t random. Research and lived experience are increasingly showing us that neurodivergence and chronic illness often co-exist [1, 2].
Not because one causes the other, but because they share overlapping (but not entirely understood) pathways in genetics, the nervous system, the immune system, hormones, and even connective tissue.
For example:
Autistic and ADHD folks are more likely to experience sleep disorders, sensory sensitivity, interoceptive differences, and dysautonomia [3, 4, 5].
Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, MCAS, and chronic fatigue often show up more in neurodivergent people, but can be missed or dismissed when practitioners aren’t looking through that lens [6, 7].
Hormonal experiences like PMDD, perimenopause, or even everyday cycles can affect neurodivergent people more intensely due to nervous system dysregulation [8, 9, 10].
When you’re navigating all this, nutrition can play a role. Not as a cure, but as a way to support your energy, reduce symptom flares, and offer structure in a world that often feels unpredictable.
That’s why working with a neurodivergent-affirming nutritionist who also understands chronic illness can be such a game-changer. They won’t just ask what you’re eating, they’ll ask how your body’s feeling, what’s working, and what’s getting in the way of feeling nourished.
And, they’ll do it in a way that honors your lived experience, instead of trying to fix or flatten it.
Let’s look at some of the most common conditions that often show up alongside neurodivergence—and what an affirming practitioner can offer when supporting clients through them.
Chronic Conditions and Complex Health Profiles
Many ND people also live with co-occurring chronic health conditions. These conditions often impact energy levels, digestion, pain, and other symptoms. They tend to show up in overlapping ways.
Some of the more common conditions seen alongside neurodivergence include:
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) – A connective tissue disorder that can impact joint stability, digestion, and fatigue.
POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) – A form of dysautonomia where standing can cause dizziness, rapid heart rate, and fatigue; salt and hydration are significant nutritional factors here.
MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) – An immune disorder involving histamine sensitivity, food triggers, and inflammation.
Migraine – Often impacted by nutrition, hydration, hormones, and sensory overload.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) – Profound fatigue that isn’t improved with rest and can be worsened by overexertion.
GI Conditions - GERD, IBS, IBD – and other GI conditions
Chronic Pain – Can affect appetite, digestion, and the ability to cook, shop, or even sit up for a meal.
Sleep Dysregulation – Whether from sensory issues, executive function, or co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, sleep challenges are common and profoundly impact appetite and energy.
PMDD & Perimenopause – Hormonal shifts can amplify sensory sensitivity, appetite changes, and fatigue, and show up with more heightened symptoms in folks with ADHD or autism.
Dr. Mel Houser, founder of All Brains Belong, refers to this entire clinical picture as “all of the things.” It’s a validating reframe of what can feel like an overwhelming tangle of symptoms.
You can read more about that here: All of the Things – All Brains Belong.
Should my Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist also be Weight Inclusive? Yes.
Weight-Inclusive Care is a healthcare approach that shifts the focus away from weight as a marker of health and instead centers on behaviors, lived experience, and the person in front of you. In other words, it asks, what helps you feel better in your body, rather than assuming your body size is the problem to be solved.
This model rejects the idea that intentional weight loss should be the primary goal of healthcare or nutrition support. Instead, weight-inclusive care supports people in:
Building sustainable, supportive eating habits
Finding movement that feels accessible
Tending to sleep, stress, AND mental health
Creating a more compassionate relationship with food and body
Making choices that feel empowering, not punishing
Weight-inclusive care is for everyone; it’s not just for people in larger bodies. Everyone benefits when care is respectful, shame-free, and focused on whole-person well-being.
Why Weight-Inclusive Care Is Especially Important for Neurodivergent People
Neurodivergent folks are at much higher risk of developing disordered eating patterns, eating disorders, and food-related distress. This is often because of sensory sensitivity and overwhelm, executive functioning differences, trauma from past medical experiences, or simply trying to survive in a world not built for their needs.
That’s why any nutrition care, especially for an autistic person, an ADHDer, or someone with other neurodivergent wiring, needs to be both neurodivergent-affirming and weight-inclusive.
We know that rigid food rules, food shaming, and “clean eating” culture can all create harm. So when a provider skips past disordered eating screening and jumps into diet plans or “lifestyle change” (often code for weight loss), it can reinforce harmful beliefs or push someone further into dysregulation.
An affirming, weight-inclusive nutritionist doesn’t make assumptions about your body, your habits, or your goals. Instead, they’ll take time to understand how your brain works, how your body feels, and what your relationship with food looks like.
Common Eating Disorders and Patterns in the Neurodivergent Community
Neurodivergent folks are more likely than the general population to experience a wide range of eating-related challenges. These challenges can be misunderstood or misdiagnosed because they don’t always look like the stereotypical version of an eating disorder.
Some eating disorders or eating differences that show up more commonly with neurodivergence than in the general population include:
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
What to Expect from a Weight-Inclusive, ND-Affirming Nutritionist
At a minimum, a neurodivergent-affirming nutritionist should:
Screen for disordered eating or eating disorders before offering a structured plan
Avoid assigning moral value to food (i.e., no “good” vs. “bad” foods)
Take into account sensory preferences, routine, and executive functioning
Offer flexible, accessible approaches and interventions to honor your goals and nourish your body
Holding space for ambivalence—you don’t have to be “ready” or make drastic changes to deserve care
Want to Learn More?
Here are a few resources that helped me deepen my understanding of the neurodiversity paradigm and, in turn, led to finding my providers who felt like a fit:
Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms and Definitions by Dr. Nick Walker – A primer on the neurodiversity movement and the origins of the language
Neurodivergent Insights - Neurodivergent mental health and wellness resources
BlackSpectrumScholar on Instagram - AuDHD Communications and resources
@neurodivergent_lou on Instagram – A helpful, honest, and often funny look at life through a neurodivergent lens.
Book - "Unmasking Autism" by Dr. Devon Price – A compassionate, affirming book that explores autistic identity and how many of us learn to “mask” our needs.
Whether you’re neurodivergent yourself or simply want to understand how to support someone who is, the takeaway is this: affirming care sees you. It meets you where you are, trusts your lived experience, and helps you build something that works for you, not an ideal that doesn't exist.
Where to Look: Finding Your Neurodivergent-Affirming Nutritionist or Dietitian
Finding a nutritionist or dietitian provider when you’re neurodivergent can feel like a part-time job.
Between the alphabet soup of certifications, vague bios, and systems that weren’t designed with us in mind, it can be overwhelming.
The good news? You don’t have to settle for care that feels dismissive, rigid, or invalidating. More and more providers are recognizing the importance of neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and weight-inclusive care.
And while it might take a little creativity and persistence, there are folks out there who want to meet you where you are: I’m one of them!
Admittedly, fewer directory resources exist for nutrition practitioners than for therapists. Here are some ways to start your search and think outside the (search engine) box:
🤝 Ask in Local or Online ND Communities
Your community is often your best resource. Try asking in:
Local neurodivergent or disability Facebook groups
Discord servers for Neurodivergent adults
Reddit communities
Slack spaces or mutual aid collectives
Even if someone can’t personally recommend a dietitian, they might share more tips for how they framed their needs in outreach or what questions they asked in an intake call (plus, I have a few more questions to consider below - keep reading).
🧠 Talk to Your Therapist or Other Providers
If you’re already working with a therapist, psychiatrist, occupational therapist, or case manager who is neurodivergent-affirming, ask them if they have referrals for nutrition services.
Therapists, especially those who are affirming, often network with other affirming providers and can refer you to someone whose values align with yours.
💡 HealthProfs.com
This is a searchable database of health professionals from the same parent company as Psychology Today. If using this site, look for nutritionists or dietitians who mention:
Neurodivergent identities - ADHD, autism, OCD, bipolar
Sensory needs
ARFID
Weight-inclusive or HAES-aligned care
You might need to reach out to clarify their level of experience with neurodivergence, but it’s a helpful starting point.
🌈 OutCare Health
If LGBTQIA+ affirming care is also important to you, OutCare Health allows you to search for providers who are affirming of both gender and neurodiversity, and includes info about insurance, specialties, and training.
Pro Tip: What to Ask or Look For
Once you have a few names, it can help to email or call and ask a few questions to help determine if this might be the best-fit provider to support you. A few ideas include:
“What’s your experience working with neurodivergent clients?
“Are you familiar with ARFID or sensory processing needs?”
“Do you practice from a weight-inclusive or trauma-informed lens?”
“Are you open to asynchronous communication (email, text, or written follow-ups)?”
And remember: you don’t need a perfect provider. That doesn’t exist. But you deserve someone who is curious, flexible, and willing to collaborate with you. You’re the expert on your experience, and the right provider will respect and honor that.
Final Thoughts
Neurodivergent-affirming care recognizes neurodivergence as a natural part of the human population.
Affirming providers honor lived experience, adapt care to the individual, and drop rigid “one-size-fits-all” health rules.
In a world that often demands conformity, neurodivergent-affirming nutrition care offers something different: support that’s respectful, imaginative, collaborative, and built around you.
If you're curious about how to start finding this kind of care or what it can look like to work together, sign up HERE for an Introductory call.
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