Many women diagnosed with ADHD or autism in adulthood have spent years masking challenges behind high achievement, perfectionism, and self-blame. These traits can influence eating patterns, sensory experiences with food, and the ability to follow traditional nutrition guidance. Dietitians often encounter clients who appear "inconsistent," "all-or-nothing," or overwhelmed when the underlying barriers stem from neurodivergent cognitive and sensory processing.

This interdisciplinary session offers a neurodiversity-affirming perspective on how late-diagnosed women experience food, hunger cues, executive function demands, and stress related to eating. A licensed professional counselor will provide foundational mental health literacy on neurodivergence, while a registered dietitian will translate these insights into practical, client-centered nutrition approaches.

Through discussion and case vignettes, presenters will demonstrate strategies to adapt communication, reduce moral language around food, and support clients experiencing overwhelm. Attendees will leave with practical insights to better recognize and support neurodivergent women in nutrition care while collaborating appropriately with mental health professionals.