Brazilian Illustrator Marcela Sabiá is Challenging the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health, Body Image & Disability
Activism, BIPOC, Body Image, Special TopicsMarcela Sabiá is a 26-year-old Brazilian illustrator who loves dogs, astrology, and creating art that makes the world a better place. She first started creating art professionally in 2015, and now, nearly three years later, she boasts an Instagram…
The Icing on the Cake: Autism and Picky Eating
Special TopicsI used to go to birthday parties just for the cake. No, really, I did. I always found the social aspects of birthday parties to be incredibly difficult. Too many people, who was I supposed to talk to, would the birthday girl or birthday boy…
How Can Eating Disorders Professionals Better Serve the Autistic Community?
Special TopicsMany Autistic people have openly shared their struggles with body image and eating disorders (take a look at our Autism Acceptance Month #NEDAchat recap for reference), but their unique issues around food still tend to be misunderstood or outright…
How Being Queer, Autistic, and Physically Disabled Shapes My Body Image
Body Image, LGBTQIA+, Special TopicsAs a teenager, I’d often be in a group with other girls when the subject of our bodies would come up. My friends traded anecdotes on which aspects of their body they loved least, and what was wrong with them. Because I didn’t chime in, most…
An Autistic Person’s Perspective on Building a Healthy Body Image After Trauma
Body Image, Special Topics, TraumaIn the beginning of April, I participated in a NEDA chat about eating disorders, body image issues, and how they affect me as an autistic woman. After the chat, I had so many thoughts swirling around in my brain. The questions and answers brought…
I Have an Eating Disorder Because I’m Autistic
Special TopicsPeople often say that an eating disorder is about control and not about weight. They say it is about anxiety, not body image. I don’t know what my eating disorder is about. It’s about so many things and nothing at the same time. I do not…
13 Ways Professionals in the Eating Disorders Field Can Better Support Autistic People
Special TopicsWhile autistic self-advocates have created significant change, stigma and misinformation around autism and eating disorders still exist. With that in mind, the National Eating Disorders Association hosted an Autism Acceptance Month #NEDAchat,…
5 Eating Disorder Recovery Tips for Autistic People
Recovery, Special TopicsWhen I was younger, I knew I was different from other people. I never understood why, and this led me to try to amend myself to “fit in.” I mirrored appropriate reactions and behaviors and ended up trying to “look like” everybody else.…
Diversity Matters: A Look at 2017 Fashion Campaigns
News & Culture, Special TopicsA recurring theme of this season’s fashion shows and reviews has been the inclusion of “plus-size” models like Ashley Graham and Candice Huffine, who walked Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung respectively. Inasmuch as it signifies a positive…
The Stigma Surrounding Men with Eating Disorders
Men, Special TopicsThere are a variety of myths surrounding eating disorders—myths that can make people unaware of the seriousness of the disease or even prevent people from reaching out for help.Many people think that only women are affected by eating disorders,…