Release Date: Wednesday – March 4, 2026
Archive, Bios, Description, and Transcripts for Episode 151: When Eating Is a Disability Rights Issue
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Contents
- About RDs for Neurodiversity
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Neurodiversity
- ADA Guidance on Eating Disorders
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Resources
- Legal Brief
- Autism and Employment Resources
- More Resources on Neurodiversity
About RDs for Neurodiversity
- RDs for Neurodiversity
An online continuing education platform dedicated to advancing neurodiversity-informed and justice-oriented care through education, training, and mentorship. RDs for Neurodiversity Learning Courses are available under the “Learning” tab on the website homepage.
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com
Blog: rdsforneurodiversity.com/blog
Email: info@rdsforneurodiversity.com - The Neurodiversity Affirming Model®
This alternate framework is based on inclusion and acceptance of neurodiversity. It challenges the medical model of disability that focuses on neuronormal behavior and a pathological paradigm that currently controls medical education and training in dietetics and the mental health field.
Source: RDs for Neurodiversity
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com/neurodiversity-affirming-model
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- ARFID Resources
Source: RDs for Neurodiversity
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com/resources - ARFID, Cultural Impacts, and Self Directed Safe-Foods Expansion
Source: RDs for Neurodiversity
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com/blog/arfid-cultural-impacts-and-self-directed-safe-foods-expansion - Neurodiversity, Intersectionality & Why We Need HCBS for Eating Disorders
Source: RDs for Neurodiversity
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com/blog/neurodiversity-intersectionality-amp-why-we-need-hcbs-for-eating-disorders - Sensory Eating on Campus
Source: RDs for Neurodiversity
Web: rdsforneurodiversity.com/blog/sensory-eatingoncampus - ARFID Overview, Symptoms and Information
Source: Cleveland Clinic
Web: my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24869-arfid-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder - ARFID Symptoms, Treatment and Support
Source: National Eating Disorders Association
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid - ARFID and Autism: Understanding and Managing the Challenges
Source: Autism Parenting Magazine
Web: autismparentingmagazine.com/arfid-and-autism - What Is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?
Source: Thriveworks
Web: thriveworks.com/help-with/disorders/avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder
ADA Live Podcasts and Resources on Neurodiversity
You can access all ADA Live! episodes with archived audio, accessible transcripts, and resources at ADAlive.org. Most episode transcripts are also available in Spanish. (Transcripciones de los episodios en español.) Listen on the SoundCloud ADA Live! channel at soundcloud.com/adalive.
- Episode 134: ‘I Am in Here’ – Elizabeth Bonker’s Mission to Expand the Power of Neurodiversity | Episode 134 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-134
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-134-resources - Episode 128: Helping Youth and Adults with Autism Build Independent Lives | Episode 128 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-128
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-128-resources - Episode 123: Understanding the Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Episode 123 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-123
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-123-resources - Episode 112: A Successful Path to Employment with the Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW) Project | Episode 112 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-112
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-112-resources - Episode 100: Show Them How Smart You Are: Self-Advocacy, Parenting, and Autism | Episode 100 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-100
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-100-resources - Episode 78: Living with a Disability: Four People Share their Stories | Episode 78 Resources
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-78
Resources: adalive.org/resources/episode-78-resources - Episode 48: Food Allergies and The Rights of Individuals with Allergy-Related Disabilities Under the ADA
This episode does not include a list of resources. It looks at the 2012 ADA Settlement Agreement between Lesley University and the U.S. Justice Department. (See a link to the Lesley University press release in the section, “ADA Guidance on Eating Disorders.”)
Podcast: adalive.org/episodes/episode-48
ADA Guidance on Eating Disorders
- Press Release: Justice Department and Lesley University Sign Agreement to Ensure Meal Plan Is Inclusive of Students with Celiac Disease and Food Allergies
Source: U.S. Justice Department (December 20, 2012)
Web: justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-and-lesley-university-sign-agreement-ensure-meal-plan-inclusive-students - Press Release: DOJ and Eating Disorder Clinic Resolve Allegation the Program Violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Source: U.S. Justice Department (August 16, 2024)
Web: justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/doj-and-eating-disorder-clinic-resolve-allegation-program-violated-americans - Job Accommodations and Eating Disorders
Source: Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Web: askjan.org/disabilities/Eating-Disorders.cfm - A Self-Advocate’s Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act
Source: Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Web: autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolkits/ada
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Resources
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
Information also available in Spanish.
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/ - ARFID Resources
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/?s=ARFID - Eating Disorders and Neurodiversity
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-neurodiversity - Eating Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-and-obsessive-compulsive-disorder - Eating Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-and-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd - Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Diagnoses and Conditions
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/co-occurring-diagnoses-and-conditions - Learn about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Web: nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaw
Legal Brief
- Kevin Burling v. Gravity Diagnostics
LC Commonwealth of Kentucky, Kenton Circuit Court Division IV, Case No. 19-CI-01631, April 15, 2022.
Web: adasoutheast.org/legal/court/berling-v-gravity-diagnostics-llc
Autism and Employment Resources
- Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW)
Helps employers and support networks understand issues relevant to autism and employment. Through in-person trainings, online modules, and ongoing supports, they work to increase employment for workers on the autism spectrum.
Source: Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky
Web: isaw.hdiuk.org - Online Course: Autism Informed Employers
This free online course allows employers, employment specialists, and other support persons to access ISAW training at their convenience. Learn to effectively hire, supervise, support, and retain autistic employees. Group and Individual course available.
Sources: Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW), Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky
Web: hdilearning.org/courses/autism-informed-employers - Job Accommodation Network (JAN) Resources on Autism and Employment
Web: askjan.org/disabilities/Autism-Spectrum.cfm - Resources on Autism and Employment
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
Web: dol.gov/agencies/odep/program-areas/autism - Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Source: Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN)
Web: askearn.org/page/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace
More Resources on Neurodiversity
- Podcast: ADHD and Eating Disorders
Includes transcript in English.
Source: Understood
Web: understood.org/en/podcasts/adhd-aha/adhd-eating-disorders - Inclusive Dining Tech: The New Must Have for Foodservice
Source: The Food Institute (January 23, 2026)
Web: foodinstitute.com/focus/inclusive-dining-tech-the-new-must-have-for-foodservice - Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Web: autisticadvocacy.org - Definition of the Neurodiversity Paradigm
Source: Neurodivergent Counseling Services
Web: neurodivergentcounselling.ca/the-neurodiversity-paradigm - Article: What is Neurodiversity?
Source: Understood
Web: understood.org/en/articles/neurodiversity-what-you-need-to-know - Article: What Is: Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, Neurotypical
Source: Disabled World
Web: disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/neurodiversity - Stimpunks
A mutual aid and human-centered learning project for neurodivergent and disabled people.
Web: stimpunks.org