Comorbidity between ASD and ED: A systematic review of therapeutic and educational interventions

This study presents a systematic review of the co-morbidity between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Eating Disorders (ED), assessing the most appropriate therapeutic intervention models and educational challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, 14 studies published between 2019 and 2024 were included, selected from a total of 349 articles from academic databases. The results indicate that standard treatments for EDs are less effective in patients with ASD and that full hospitalisation offers better recovery outcomes. Furthermore, the importance of involving caregivers and providing them with adequate support is emphasised while dialectical behaviour therapy was perceived as a promising option compared to cognitive-behavioural therapy. The review concludes that it is essential to continue researching educational and support strategies to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. • This systematic review synthesises recent evidence (2019–2024) on therapeutic and educational interventions for co-morbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and Eating Disorders. • Individuals with elevated autistic traits show reduced responsiveness to standard ED treatments, underscoring the need for autism-informed adaptations. • In-patient treatment settings yield more robust clinical improvements, particularly in weight restoration and affective symptom reduction. • Cognitive Remediation Therapy and adapted psychological models demonstrate promise in targeting cognitive rigidity, sensory processing differences and emotional dysregulation. • The absence of structured educational intervention research reveals a critical gap, demanding interdisciplinary, neurodiversity-affirmative programme development.