Many common nutrition recommendations assume people have:
- consistent energy
- planning capacity
- flexible sensory preferences
which may not reflect the lived experience of many neurodivergent individuals.
If traditional nutrition advice has never quite felt realistic or sustainable — you might be curious about approaches that better consider neurodiverse needs.
Who a dietary consultation might be for:
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Neurodivergent adults seeking nutritional support & guidance
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Parents, carers, and support people of neurodivergent children
What will be explored?
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Your individual goals / goals for your child
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Health history and environmental factors
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Lifestyle factors, eating habits and ongoing symptoms
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Practical, evidence-informed strategies you can begin applying immediately
What you can expect:
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Initial 1.5 hour in-clinic appointment
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Create a plan based on dietary goals
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Ongoing Support
.
When
"just eat healthier"
..doesn't work.
Many common nutrition recommendations assume people have consistent energy, planning capacity, and flexible sensory preferences — which may not reflect the lived experience of many neurodivergent individuals.
Studies suggest food selectivity occurs in up to 46–89% of autistic children (Bandini, L. et al. (2010). Journal of Pediatrics) and can continue into adulthood.
If traditional nutrition advice has never quite felt realistic or sustainable — you might be curious about approaches that better consider neurodiverse needs.
Meet Zoe Haines
Zoe is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who has a particular interest in working with individuals and children managing chronic conditions and those with complex or challenging relationships with food.
She values listening deeply and meeting clients where they are, recognising that meaningful change doesn’t come from rigid meal plans, but from compassionate, individualised support.
With experience across both clinical and community settings, Zoe provides evidence-based, behaviour-focused nutrition counselling, including support for chronic disease management and gastrointestinal conditions. She is committed to culturally safe, client-centred care.
Zoe is available from 9 February 2026 on Mondays for in-clinic bookings.
Case Study: Child-Led Feeding Support
In one example, Zoe worked with a seven-year-old child experiencing Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
Sessions were held weekly in the child’s home and were designed to be child-led. Rather than focusing on eating new foods, the goal was to help the child feel more comfortable interacting with food in ways that felt safe.
Activities sometimes included baking cupcakes, preparing ingredients, or simply cutting vegetables together. There was no expectation that the child needed to taste or eat the food. The focus was on reducing pressure and allowing the child to build familiarity with food at their own pace.
Parents were included in the sessions, which created opportunities to explore supportive communication strategies and ways to reduce pressure around mealtimes.
Over time, families often report that this approach can help create a calmer, more supportive food environment where children feel safer being around food.
Studies suggest food selectivity occurs in up to 46–89% of autistic children* and can continue into adulthood.
Bandini, L. et al. (2010). Journal of Pediatrics