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Understanding Neurodiversity & Food (Webinar with Dr. Tom Hannan)

By April 11, 2025Free Videos

In this live recorded webinar, Weight Management Psychology lead neurodiversity practitioner and psychologist, Dr. Tom Hannan helps participants to explore:

  • 🌱 What is Neurodivergence?
    A strengths-based look at what it means to be neurodivergent, and how it can shape your experience of the world.

  • 🧠 Understanding the Differences Between Autism & ADHD
    Clarifying key traits, overlaps, and the unique ways each neurotype may influence daily life – especially around food, routines, and sensory experiences.

  • 🍽️ How Neurodivergence Can Influence Your Relationship with Food
    Exploring common themes such as sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, interoception differences, emotional regulation, and food as a form of stimulation, comfort, or control.

  • 💡 Supportive & Neuro-Affirming Strategies for Eating Differences
    Gentle, practical ideas for building sustainable eating habits, managing overwhelm, reducing food-related anxiety or rigidity, and navigating hunger/fullness cues – without shame or strict rules.

  • 🌈 Is Therapy Right for You?
    How psychological support can help you better understand your mind-body connection, work through unhelpful patterns, and build a compassionate relationship with food and yourself.

The webinar is warm, informative, and empowering, and designed to support anyone who’s curious about the link between neurodivergence and their relationship with food, and how psychological therapy can help to improve this relationship!

It also comes with a FREE MIND & BODY SCAN WORKSHEET to help you on your journey of improving your eating and self care habits in a way that acknowledges and respects your unique brain.

Watch Video

LINKS FROM VIDEO:

Mind & Body Scan Worksheet

Find out more about neurodiversity assessment and support with Tom

Find out more about Tom and our other neuro-affirming Weight Management Psychology psychologists

 

CHAT BOX TRANSCRIPT:

00:24:35 Noelene George: Hello from Bundaberg
00:24:38 Rachel Griffin: Hi from Radelaide
00:24:53 Ruth Crowley: Hello from Ireland!
00:24:57 Ana: Hello from Melbourne
00:24:57 Emma Collins: Hi from Cardiff, Wales 🙂
00:24:58 Sue Linde: Hello Everyone joining from Narangba Queensland.
00:25:04 Karin Rushin: Helllo from just outside Brisbane
00:25:13 Janine Cremin: Hello from Perth WA
00:25:13 Emma Hodis: Hello from Brisbane!
00:25:16 Hilary Pine: Hey, Hilary Pine, Melbourne, Victoria.
00:25:37 Annette Watson: Hi everyone Annette from Brisbane
00:25:39 Sal Prothero: Hi from Melbourne
00:25:42 Sarina Dodd: Mackay
00:25:44 Trace: Welliington POint
00:25:50 Rosanne Ainscough: Hi! Rosanne from Colorado, USA. It is 3 AM here
00:25:55 Susan Jones: Hi SW Sydney
00:25:57 Fiona Leonard: Hi from Melbourne
00:26:01 Rachel Griffin: Reacted to Hi! Rosanne from Col… with “❤️”
00:26:09 Ruth Crowley: Reacted to Hi! Rosanne from Col… with “❤️”
00:26:13 Susan Jones: Reacted to “Hi from Melbourne” with 👋🏻
00:26:15 margaret howrie: Margaret from Perth
00:26:31 Emma Collins: Reacted to “Hi! Rosanne from Col…” with ❤️
00:27:13 Pene Barker: G’day from Tweed
00:27:44 Jo Hart: Hello from Melbourne 😀
00:29:52 Hilary Pine: How do you turn the camera on?
00:30:32 Maggie S: Hello from Sydney 🌺
00:30:47 Hilary Pine: Sorted!
00:33:17 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “How do you turn the …”

There should be a camera icon in the lower bar in your Zoom or browser (or at the top – it’s near the centre for me)!
00:33:28 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Sorted!” with ❤️
00:37:47 Hilary Pine: Replying to “How do you turn the …”

Sorted, thank you!
00:38:51 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Hi! Rosanne from Col…” with ❤️
00:45:35 Hilary Pine: I work as a chef at a childcare centre, it can be very challenging.
00:45:45 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “I work as a chef at …” with ❤️
00:53:14 Glenn Mackintosh: Guys, we welcome any questions too as we go – please just put them here in the chat box if you have any 🙂
00:53:34 Melinda Thomas: Amazing info so far!
00:54:31 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Amazing info so far!” with ❤️
00:54:53 Jade Hendriks: I don’t drink – usually will eat instead and will sometimes get to the end of the day without having a drink 🤦🏻‍♀️
00:55:09 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “I don’t drink – usua…” with ❤️
00:55:15 Hilary Pine: I’m sorry, haven’t eaten today & I’m really hungry.
00:56:17 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “I’m sorry, haven’t e…”

That’s okay Hilary! Feel free to do what you have to do to nourish your body 🙂
00:56:27 Debra Lugg: In relation to Interoception – does that also include the need to toilet. My daughter is frequently constipated.
00:56:29 Hilary Pine: Replying to “I’m sorry, haven’t e…”

Thank you!
00:56:35 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Thank you!” with ❤️
00:56:57 Melissa Gill: I see the reminders and still ignore them….recently assessed as ADHD Inattentive @54yo. I tend to think ‘I’ll do it next, in a minute, later’ then I don’t.
00:56:59 Hilary Pine: Replying to “I’m sorry, haven’t e…”

I don’t drink – usually will eat instead and will sometimes get to the end of the day without having a drink 🤦🏻‍♀️
00:57:11 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “I see the reminders …” with ❤️
00:57:18 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “In relation to Inter…” with ❤️
00:57:36 Hilary Pine: Replying to “I’m sorry, haven’t e…”

Drinking is really interesting if you have bariatric surgery, I really get confused.
00:57:57 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “In relation to Inter…”

I’ll aim to ask Tom this Debra 🙂
00:59:48 Hilary Pine: Food sensory preferences after bariatric surgery sucks. Literally, thought I would have to go down the path of minced moist.
01:00:08 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Food sensory prefere…” with ❤️
01:01:20 susanne turner: What if the food sensory preferences was (for example Coke, Pizza or chocolate) for a young child? Ie Pizza every night felt safe.
01:01:23 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “Food sensory prefere…”

This can be a real challenge – I was talking about this with a client today!
01:01:29 Weight Management Psychology: Body & Mind Check In Worksheet: https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Body-and-Mind-Check-In.pdf
01:02:11 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “What if the food sen…” with ❤️
01:02:17 Ana: Reacted to “Body & Mind Check In…” with ❤️
01:02:27 Jo Hart: Reacted to “Body & Mind Check …” with ❤️
01:02:39 Hilary Pine: Portion control bento boxes are very helpful.
01:02:45 Emma Collins: Reacted to “Body & Mind Check In…” with ❤️
01:03:00 Cindy Evans: Reacted to “Body & Mind Check In…” with ❤️
01:03:10 Cindy Evans: Reacted to “Portion control bent…” with 👍
01:03:28 Melissa Gill: Reacted to “Portion control bent…” with 👍
01:04:44 Cindy Evans: What resources could you recommend for exploring intuitive eating?
01:04:56 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “What resources could…” with ❤️
01:06:19 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “What resources could…”

Cindy I wrote a book about intuitive eating called ‘Thinsanity’ https://glennmackintosh.com/thinsanity/
01:06:52 Jo Hart: Reacted to “Cindy I wrote a bo…” with ❤️
01:07:09 Ana: Replying to “What resources could…”

It’s a great resource.
01:07:17 Kaylene Ascough: Glenn, I’ve read your Thinsanity book and engaged with a number of your free resources a few years ago. What is different with Tom’s work?
01:07:27 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “What resources could…”

We also have a lot of blogs and videos on intuitive eating on our WMP website (just look into the videos and blogs section!) https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/
01:07:33 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “It’s a great resourc…” with ❤️
01:07:43 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “What resources could…”

@Ana awwww … thank you 🙂
01:07:52 Cindy Evans: Replying to “What resources could…”

thank you
01:07:54 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Glenn, I’ve read you…” with ❤️
01:08:03 Ana: Reacted to “@Ana awwww … thank y…” with ❤️
01:08:27 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “Glenn, I’ve read you…”

I will answer this in the q&a 🙂 🙂 🙂
01:08:28 Weight Management Psychology: Body & Mind Check In Worksheet: https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Body-and-Mind-Check-In.pdf
01:08:34 Hilary Pine: The fellowship that comes with Overeaters Anonymous is very helpful.
01:08:40 Kaylene Ascough: Reacted to “I will answer this i…” with ❤️
01:09:13 Katrina Sarpi: Are we able to get a copy of Dr Tom’s presentation’s slides? Thank you!
01:10:09 Susan Jones: Reacted to “Are we able to get a…” with ❤️
01:10:50 Noelene George: Thank you for your advice.
01:11:09 Melissa Gill: Reacted to “Are we able to get a…” with 👍
01:11:16 Ana: Is there a recommended screening for neurodivergence before committing to a full assessment?
01:11:31 Melissa Gill: That was fantastic Tom. Thank you.
01:11:43 Wendy Burke: I really like that Body check in idea
01:13:52 Kylie Bremner: What is cognitive behaviour therapy and how might it help someone with AuADHD learn to manage their eating behaviours?
01:15:33 Kaylene Ascough: Thanks Glenn. That’s really helpful.
01:15:36 Fiona Leonard: Do you training for practitioners in other disciplines ?
01:16:23 Weight Management Psychology: ADHD & Autism Assessment & Support: https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/adhd-autism-assessment-support/
01:17:56 Hilary Pine: Are you covered with Mental Health Plans?
01:18:58 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “Are we able to get a…”

Hi Katrina! Unfortunately, we won’t be sharing Dr. Tom’s slides tonight, but you do have the free resource Tom is sharing now, and we will send you the recording afterwards, so you will be able to revisit this webinar whenever you’d like 🙂
01:19:22 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Thank you for your a…” with ❤️
01:19:26 Emma Collins: Reacted to “Hi Katrina! Unfortun…” with 👍
01:19:29 Katrina Sarpi: Replying to “Are we able to get a…”

Thank you Glenn!
01:19:39 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “That was fantastic T…” with ❤️
01:19:43 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “I really like that B…” with ❤️
01:19:57 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Thanks Glenn. That’…” with ❤️
01:20:41 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “Are you covered with…”

Hilary the assessment isn’t covered, but the support sessions are – they are general psychology sessions!
01:21:03 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Thank you Glenn!” with ❤️
01:21:16 Glenn Mackintosh: Replying to “Are we able to get a…”

You’re welcome 🙂 🙂 🙂
01:21:42 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Is there a recommend…” with ❤️
01:21:58 Hilary Pine: Replying to “Food sensory prefere…”

👍
01:22:06 Ana: Thank you!
01:22:07 Tahseen Rizvi: I hope you dont mind me adding a sluggish gut might also be linked to hypermobility, which is prevalent in the neurodivergence world.
01:22:30 Emma Hodis: What percentage of people do you see that think they might be ADHD/ASD but after an assessment find out they are not?
01:22:43 Rashida: Reacted to “I hope you dont mind…” with ❤️
01:22:50 Ana: Replying to “What percentage of p…”

good question!
01:22:51 Hilary Pine: It’s nice to realise that you are different normal!
01:23:15 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “It’s nice to realise…” with ❤️
01:24:15 Kylie Bremner: thanks 🙂
01:24:21 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “thanks :)” with ❤️
01:25:47 Margret Walters-Hubbard: Thanks so interesting and Informative
01:25:53 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Thanks so interestin…” with ❤️
01:25:54 Alex Wilson: is constantly “craving” the same food/meal something that comes up a lot? Not due to a sensory issue though, more like, going through a phase of only wanting, say, pasta, every single day and then suddenly switching to another meal after a few weeks before starting the cycle again ahaha
01:26:15 Weight Management Psychology: Find Out More: https://www.weightmanagementpsychology.com.au/adhd-autism-assessment-support/
01:26:58 Cindy Evans: how do you spell that please
01:27:32 Jade Hendriks: Back to the assessments – are they widely recognised? Do we run a risk of getting treatment elsewhere (say medication) do we need to go through the process again with that specialist?
01:27:38 Hilary Pine: Replying to “Are you covered with…”

Ah hah! I have some psychology sessions booked & I’ve just seen the doctor for a psychology based mental health plan,
01:27:39 Cindy Evans: is it this? ehlers danlos syndrome
01:27:49 Glenn Mackintosh: Reacted to “Ah hah! I have some …” with ❤️
01:27:53 Hilary Pine: Reacted to “is it this? ehlers d…” with 🤍
01:28:00 Karin Rushin: Reacted to “is it this? ehlers d…” with 👌
01:28:21 Hilary Pine: Replying to “is it this? ehlers d…”

EDS is so challenging. X
01:28:47 Melinda Thomas: Excellent webinar, Thanks Tom
01:29:11 Wendy Burke: Just love what you do -thanks heaps
01:29:21 Hilary Pine: Definitely helpful, thank you so much.
01:29:23 Maggie S: Thank you 🙏
01:29:26 Ana: Very informative, thank you!
01:29:29 Sue Linde: Thank you Tom & Glenn (& Mr Nic). Goodnight All.
01:29:37 Hilary Pine: A real light bulb moment.
01:29:37 Emma Collins: Thank you Tom and Glenn for this presentation. It’s been invaluable. You’re aces! 🙂
01:29:40 Jo Hart: Thanks Tom and Glenn. Awesome session!
01:29:42 Tom Hannan: Reacted to “is it this? ehlers d…” with 🤍
01:29:56 Karin Rushin: Thank you
01:29:58 Pene Barker: Thank you.
01:30:04 Cindy Evans: Thank you for hosting this informative session. It is appreciated.
01:30:05 Emma Hodis: This was really helpful Glenn and Tom. Much appreciated 🙂
01:30:31 Hilary Pine: You’ve earned the respect!
01:30:45 margaret howrie: Thank you
01:30:47 Ruth Crowley: Thanks so much Tom and Glenn!
01:30:48 Anu Sinha-Reid: 👏
01:30:49 Susan Jones: Thankyou!