Marie Camin - Clinical Psychologist

15/04/2026

Hello, delightful doves!

I don’t even know where to begin with the logical flaws in this article. It’s a bit concerning to see a well known researcher in the field make claims that aren’t really critically thought out, nor supported by any high quality evidence.

Why are we still having this tired argument? And what is the motivation for a researcher to be using their status in persuasive media articles on issues which are impacting the federal budget? Colour me curious, capybaras.

Here is a more informed view I recall reading 3 years ago: https://theconversation.com/australias-rates-of-autism-should-be-celebrated-but-real-life-impact-not-diagnosis-should-determine-ndis-support-217921

Evidence suggests the introduction of the NDIS led to Australia having some of the highest rates of diagnosed autism in the world.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/autism-diagnoses-are-up-largely-fuelled-by-the-ndis-what-happens-next-isnt-entirely-clear-280143

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26/02/2026

A moment of silence for the 132 *almost* finished drafts waiting to see the grid. I will climb atop a soap box ANY DAY about how important the concept of hermaneutical injustice is for minorities to know about. So I decided that, instead of waiting for my brain to find the dopamine to finish the remaining 5% of the draft post on this concept, I’d post this snippet of me yapping instead. Thanks Jane for letting me infodump for a solid 7 minutes at this point in the episode 😂

23/02/2026

Dyscalculic VCE students currently have significantly less exam adjustments available to them compared to students with other learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexic and dysgraphic students). Please sign this petition for VCAA to revise their policies and allow reasonable and necessary exam adjustments for dyscalculic students in Victoria: https://www.change.org/dyscalculiaexamsVCE

17/02/2026

I'm running a webinar on Autistic wellbeing, stress, and burnout across the lifespan and everyone is welcome - health professionals, community members, caregivers, etc. I am trialling a "pay what you can" initiative. Register: https://events.humanitix.com/stresswebinar

We will cover topics I usually don't see often in autism webinars:
♾️ The biology of stress
♾️ Minority stress
♾️ Health impacts of chronic stress
♾️ Autistic burnout
♾️ Common stressors across the lifespan
♾️ Supports (informed by research, lived experience, and community knowledge)

Learn about wellbeing and stress across the Autistic lifespan, covering topics such as common stressors, burnout, health impacts, & supports.

01/02/2026

No group, no matter how ethical or moral we believe ourselves to be, is immune to developing harmful social dynamics. Here are a few concepts I highlighted in a recent blog, which I want to bring to the forefront of our attention. 💭

01/01/2026

What a year. I’ll likely be online less in 2026… I’m working on my biggest thing to date.

23/10/2025

Myth 1: Only children experience . Many adults have ARFID—some since childhood, others developing it after trauma, illness, or sensory changes (e.g. due to burnout, hormones, etc).

Myth 2: People can’t starve themselves, survival instinct will override. Fear or sensory overwhelm can very much override hunger. The brain perceives food as unsafe—so eating feels impossible, not optional. It’s not about willpower or choice. If someone’s body starts to adapt (called “Starvation Syndrome”), it can actually lower hunger and energy. It’s a vicious cycle, not a choice.

Myth 3: People with ARFID are always underweight. Under the current diagnostic criteria, someone can have ARFID without being underweight or
experiencing significant weight loss. Importantly, weight doesn’t show nutritional health. Some people with ARFID are slim, others aren’t, and some are fat. Limited diets can still have serious medical or functional impacts regardless of weight.

Myth 4: There’s no such thing as ARFID, it’s just fussiness. ARFID is a recognised eating disorder in both major diagnostic systems (ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR), and has been researched. It is not “picky eating” opr preference; it involves fear, disgust, or sensory distress that severely limits intake.

Myth 5: ARFID is always a medical emergency. All bodies respond differently to intake. Some people with ARFID will need support in a medical hospital if their bodies are malnourished. Two people can have the same diet and one might become malnourished, whilst the other is consistently healthy with normal blood results. Some people manage on their own, once they understand and accommodate their needs, and others manage with therapy and allied health care. Early, trauma-informed support can prevent medical crises.

Myth 6: People with ARFID only eat bland or white foods. Not always! Safe foods vary; some prefer crunchy, spicy, or colourful foods. Others develop ARFID from specific fears (such as vomiting or choking) so don’t limit their food based on flavour or other sensory properties. It’s about predictability, safety, and/or sensory profiles, which we know are diverse.

17/10/2025

I am running a webinar on supporting Autistic people with restricted eating (not specific to any age group). Anyone in the community is welcome to come along, not just health professionals. Feel free to share this in any community spaces where you think it may be helpful.

Eating challenges are a common experience for many Autistic people. It’s rarely as simple as “just sensory issues”, and not understanding why it’s such a challenge can be pretty scary for Autistic people and those who care about them. I know this as a clinical psychologist who supports those with restricted eating, but also as an Autistic person who struggled with it during my adolescence and early 20s. So I hope to share some information which helps individuals, caregivers, and health professionals some confidence in understanding what is happening, and practical next steps.

Register here: https://www.mariecamin.com/arfid-webinar

01/12/2024

The first instalment of Silly Statements. I’m hoping to break down statements / claims which are misleading in how they are worded. This first one focuses on nutrition / diet and autism. But I have so many more of these silly statements up my sleeve!

It was hard to articulate this one in plain language, because I’ve been in science for 12ish years now. Let me know if you’re still unsure what the difference is and I’ll do my best to clarify.

28/11/2024

Hi 🙋🏼‍♀️ I’ve been absent for a couple weeks because I *finally* did something not work-related for myself… I went to New York. Many of my comfort TV shows and movies growing up were set in New York, so it has been a dream of mine to visit this city. Here are some highlights 🥹

1. Brownstones
2. The Met steps
3. GIANT PIGEON!
4. “I’ll never walk Cornelia St again”
5. “I thought I saw you at The Bus Stop… I didn’t, though”
6. “Your heartbeat on The High Line, once in twenty lifetimes”
7. 23 Cornelia St
8. Central Perk (FRIENDS TV set)
9. Chandler & Joey’s apartment (FRIENDS TV set)
10. Joey wears all Chandler’s clothes (FRIENDS TV set)

08/11/2024

Too often, ADHD medication is seen as a tool to help us conform to social and capitalist norms. This might “work” for a little while… but, in my clinical experience, it often fuels a boom-bust cycle which can ultimately result in chronic stress and poor mental health—and Autistic burnout, for our AuDHDers.

So this is a little gentle reminder to reflect on our motivations for taking ADHD medication. Ask yourself, “am I motivated by the idea of me or my kids finding it slightly easier to conform to expectations around productivity, work, school, societal norms?

Instead, how can I use this increased capacity to instead invest in the things that matter most to me? What do I need to do to feel well?”

E.g. planning and prioritising self-care, relationships, rest, meals, pursuing our interests, or simply getting through the day with less cumulative stress.

28/09/2024

Enjoy your Saturday xx