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Understanding Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious health conditions defined by ongoing disturbances in eating behaviors and a person’s thoughts or emotions related to food, eating, weight, or body image.

They can affect people of all ages, genders, body types, backgrounds, and abilities, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). They can also affect a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, and relationships.

A person with an eating disorder may experience:

  • Restricting the amount or variety of food they eat
  • Episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food
  • Behaviors intended to compensate for eating
  • Anxiety, distress, or rigid routines related to food or mealtimes
  • Changes in energy, concentration, mood, or physical health
  • Difficulty recognizing or communicating hunger and fullness cues

Eating disorders include several different conditions, such as:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Bulimia nervosa
  • Binge-eating disorder
  • Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder

Each person’s experience is different, and eating disorders cannot always be identified by a person’s appearance or body size. For people with IDD, eating challenges may also be influenced by sensory preferences, communication differences, medical conditions, medications, behavioral needs, or difficulty recognizing internal body cues. Careful assessment is essential to distinguish an eating disorder from other factors that may affect eating behaviors.

Our specialty is supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who also experience eating disorders. Using a person-centered, interdisciplinary approach, we work alongside medical providers, behavioral health professionals, dietitians, caregivers, and support teams to develop individualized strategies that promote health, nutritional well-being, dignity, and quality of life. Supports are designed around each person's strengths, preferences, communication style, and goals, helping them participate as fully and safely as possible in everyday life. With compassionate, individualized support and appropriate care, people with eating disorders can work toward improved health, greater stability, and a more fulfilling quality of life.

How Redwood Supports the People We Serve

At Redwood, every journey begins with the individual, not a diagnosis or label. Through our person-centered approach, we work closely with individuals, families, caregivers, and support teams to understand each person's unique strengths, goals, preferences, and needs. Together, we create personalized support plans that promote independence, meaningful relationships, community connection, and overall wellbeing.

Our services may include residential and home-based supports, day and community programs, employment and vocational services, community integration, behavioral services, crisis support, and care coordination. Delivered by compassionate, highly trained teams, these services are designed to help individuals live fulfilling, self-directed lives while remaining connected to the people and communities that matter most.

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Our Core Services

Every individual experiences life differently, and support needs often extend beyond a single diagnosis or condition.

The services below are designed to help individuals build skills, increase independence, strengthen community connections, and achieve personal goals throughout every stage of life.

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Residential & Home Support

Safe, supportive living environments that feel like home.

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Day & Community Programs

Opportunities to connect, learn, and engage in everyday life.

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Vocational & Employment Services

Pathways to meaningful work and greater independence.

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Clinical & Specialized Support

Thoughtful, individualized support for unique needs.

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Crisis & Behavioral Support

Responsive, compassionate support during challenging moments, focused on stability, understanding, and positive outcomes.

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Family Support

Resources, guidance, and partnership for families navigating care, decisions, and everyday support.

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Education & Resources

Tools, information, and ongoing learning opportunities to empower individuals, families, and partners.

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And More

Every journey is different. Together, we can find the supports that fit your needs and help you move toward greater independence, connection, and quality of life.

Find Support Near You

Redwood provides a variety of person-centered services across Arizona, California, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, and Washington. Available programs may vary by location, funding source, and individual needs.

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Getting Started with Redwood

Finding the right support starts with a conversation.

Whether you're exploring services for yourself, a family member, or someone you support professionally, our team is here to help.

We'll take the time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and help you navigate available programs, resources, and funding options. Together, we can identify the services and supports that best fit your needs and build a path forward centered around what matters most to you.