Samenvatting

The introduction discusses eating disorders in neurodivergent with ADHD and/or ASD. Though awareness of neurodiversity and its challenges is increasing, the treatment for neurodiverse patients with an eating disorder often fall short. This is due to their traits, such as sensory sensitivities and challenges with executive function. The dietitians at Dietwise experience this problem and want to provide a more tailored treatment to their patients. The need for tailored treatment approaches is also emphasized in the introduction of this study. The purpose of this research is to determine how the RAVES model can be adapted for the dietitians at Dietwise, so they can address the specific needs of neurodivergent patients with eating disorders better. In part one of this research, semi-structured interviews with four dietitians at Dietwise were conducted. This was to understand their needs and identify challenges in treating neurodivergent clients using the RAVES model. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and later on coded. After coding the interviews, the data was analysed. A prototype of the designed tool was trialled in the second part of this research. The feedback that was gathered during this trial was directly applied to the tool. The results showed that most dietitians don’t use the Variety and Spontaneity parts of the RAVES model. The Regularity part is used by all dietitians, though they tend to adjust it to their patient. They need a tool that can be altered to the patients display of neurodivergence. The research concludes that a more flexible and less structured approach is needed to support neurodivergent patients with eating disorders. The individual traits and how this affects behaviour around food should be considered. This will allow a more tailored treatment. Based on this research, a tool has been developed for the dietitians at Dietwise. The RAVES model was taken as a base for the framework, and it was altered to align with the needs of the dietitians. This means that the neurodiverse traits are included and it is more flexible than the RAVES model. It leaves room to deviate from the neurotypical standard and does not have strict borders. By using this tool, the dietitians can offer their patients a more tailored treatment. They can adapt the eating disorder treatment to their patients individual needs, while taking neurodiversity traits into account. This means that they can help their neurodiverse patients more effectively, and hopefully quicker, than with the RAVES model.