Recent AN diagnosis for DD 17yo, potentially ASD, how do we make her eat?

[LaCerbiatta]

Just started on the AN journey ☹️. DD is 17.5 yo and I think it all went wrong around February. Up to a few weeks ago it wasn't too bad, she upped her calories to 1600 to be healthy for her end of year exams and was an ok weight, normal blood tests etc

Since the exams ended 1 week ago it a went wrong very quickly. She's eating around 700cal and looks alarmingly thin. She's being followed at CAMHS and 10 days ago she was 83% of BMI. Today she was weighed again and has lost another 2.6kg.

We were given a meal plan, which dd sort of agreed to but at home she just won't eat. She basically says no. She won't it anything I've prepared, basically so she can keep control and stick to her 70 cals.

Everything the therapist has been saying appears tailored to a much younger child less strong willed. Dd has potentially an ASD and is very rigid and strict. I feel completely helpless in how to make her eat.

Anyone has any tips or strategies? Any books I could read? I've been reading Eva Musby's book and although there's loads of really valuable info, the strategies are not appropriate to an almost adult with ASD.

Thanks so much in advance!

Sorry, that should be 'since the exams ended 4 weeks ago!"

I have AN myself so my husband has been through this with me. It is different with younger people, I would let Camhs know you are struggling. You can’t make her eat, only encourage and try to understand why this has happened, what is maintaining it and what can motivate recovery.

Have a look at these my husband has found helpful
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skills-based-Caring-Loved-Eating-Disorder-dp-11

https://beat.contentfiles.net/media/documents/beat-carers-booklet-1.pdf

There is an organisation called feast https://www.feast-ed.org/ that is for parents of dc with ED.

Sending strength!

No direct experience but I'm aware of the PEACE pathway which should be followed for management of AN with ASD
Good luck

Thank you both so much! Will have a look at those.

@RedPanda2022 were you supported by the adult mental health services? the adult CAMHS equivalent? how did you find them? Hope the ED is behind you now 💐

I'm autistic and had AN as a teenager and ARFID up until my late 30s. I always hated certain textures of food but when under alot of stress/after alot of stress I'd start really restricting. When I'm stressed i feel like all food could chike me so it gets very stressful to ear sometimes.

Not sure if this is helpful but I saw on the Christine Mcguiness documentary about autism, they went to speak to a specialist about autism and eating disorders and their regime seemed brilliant.
I guess it's partly finding out exactly what textures, tastes she can tolerate at times of stress as well as stress reduction strategies and talking through other reasons she might be restricting. Best if luck OP

Thanks so much! I'll have a look at the documentary. I actually watched it when it was on but wasn't paying attention as none of this was an issue at the time.

It as been suggested that dd has ASD traits but they're really not that marked and no food sensitivities or anything like that we've ever noticed. The reason why I think it's relevant is because of the rigidity and obsessive way in which she approaches things which I think may warrant a more tailored therapy than the formulaic one CAMHS are trying.

Hi @LaCerbiatta my Dd's AN was diagnosed at 17.. she had a very bad time of it for a while and her turning 18 was another layer to factor in.
there are a few of us on the supporting young people threads with similar age children (mine is 20 now and in a better place but I still post on the threads as it's one of the few spaces people really get it.

Some of the girls also have autism (or their parents strongly suspect)

please do come and join us - there's tinned of support

@LaCerbiatta how are you and DD now? My DD is on the Pathway and has ARFID.