Beyond the Diagnosis: Neurodevelopment and Neurodiversity in Eating Disorders During Childhood and Adolescence

Eating disorders (EDs) during childhood and adolescence are complex psychiatric conditions characterized by substantial heterogeneity in their clinical presentation, developmental trajectories, and outcomes. Traditionally, research and clinical practice have focused primarily on diagnostic classification and symptom reduction. Growing evidence, however, suggests that a broader developmental perspective is essential to better understand the mechanisms underlying the onset, maintenance, and treatment response of EDs in young people, and increasing attention has been directed toward the role of neurodevelopmental factors and neurodiversity in this context.Neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are increasingly recognized as common comorbidities among people with EDs. Beyond formal diagnoses, neurodivergent cognitive, sensory, emotional, and social profiles may shape eating behaviors, body image, emotion regulation, interpersonal functioning, and engagement with treatment. These characteristics may contribute to atypical clinical presentations, influence illness trajectories, and require adaptations in assessment and intervention.The developmental period spanning childhood and adolescence represents a critical window in which neurobiological maturation, cognitive and emotional development, family dynamics, and social experiences interact to influence the emergence and progression of eating disorders. Understanding how neurodevelopmental characteristics intersect with environmental, psychological, and biological risk factors may facilitate earlier identification, improve diagnostic accuracy, and support more personalized and developmentally informed models of care.This Research Topic aims to advance current knowledge by bringing together multidisciplinary research exploring the intersection between neurodevelopment and pediatric eating disorders.We welcome submissions addressing topics such as, but not limited to:- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ASD, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder, intellectual disability) in children and adolescents with eating disorders- Neurodiversity and dimensional neurodevelopmental traits across the spectrum of eating disorders- Shared neurobiological, cognitive, sensory, and genetic mechanisms linking neurodevelopment and eating psychopathology, with demonstrated relevance to mental health, clinical presentation, or care- Developmental pathways, risk and protective factors, and early markers of eating disorders in neurodivergent youth- The impact of executive functioning, cognitive flexibility, social cognition, interoception, and sensory processing on eating disorder presentation and outcomes- Assessment strategies and diagnostic challenges in neurodivergent populations with eating disorders- Personalized, neurodiversity-informed, and developmentally adapted prevention and treatment approaches- Family, educational, and psychosocial factors influencing clinical care and recovery- Longitudinal studies examining developmental trajectories and treatment outcomes- Translational and implementation research aimed at improving clinical practice and service delivery.We welcome original research articles, systematic and scoping reviews, mini-reviews, meta-analyses, clinical perspectives, and theoretically informed contributions. Submissions must address the neurodevelopmental or neurodiversity dimension of eating disorders in children and adolescents. Manuscripts focusing on eating disorders without a clear link to neurodevelopment, or on basic science without relevance to mental health and wellbeing, fall outside the scope of this collection.By moving beyond categorical diagnoses and embracing a developmental and neurodiversity-informed framework, this Research Topic seeks to stimulate innovative research that enhances our understanding of eating disorders in childhood and adolescence and ultimately contributes to more inclusive, individualized, and effective approaches to prevention, assessment, and treatment.Topic Editor David Cohen holds equity in School Rebound SA and holds stock warrants in B Motion Technology. He also served as Principal Investigator in France for a B Motion Technology-funded randomized trial evaluating POPPINS Medical in dyslexia (2022–2023). The other Topic Editors report no competing interests related to this Research Topic.This Research Topic complements the event “Oltre la Diagnosi: Neurosviluppo e neurodiversità nei disturbi alimentari in età evolutiva” (Beyond the Diagnosis: Neurodevelopment and Neurodiversity in Eating Disorders During Childhood and Adolescence), organized by IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, taking place in Calambrone, Italy, on October 17th 2026. Topic editors: Sara Calderoni, Vittorio Belmonti, David Cohen Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84821/beyond-the-diagnosis-neurodevelopment-and-neurodiversity-in-eating-disorders-during-childhood-and-adolescence