Background Evidenced‐based health promotion programmes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are notably absent. Barriers include a lack of understanding of how to adapt existing evidence‐based programmes to their needs, maximize inclusion and support mutual goals of health and autonomy. Methods We undertook a community‐engaged process to adapt a school‐based nutrition intervention in a residential school for youth with I/DD. Focus groups and interviews with school staff elicited recommendations for adaptation strategies; these were then reviewed by an expert panel. Results Adaptations were developed to address needs in three categories: food‐related challenges among students, adjusting to change and transition and social environment factors. Choice and heterogeneity were overarching themes across the adaptation categories. Conclusions Future research should consider community‐engaged approaches for adaptation so that youth with I/DD can participate and benefit from evidence‐based health promotion programmes to their maximum potential.