Embracing Neurodivergence: A Guide to Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy
What is neurodiversity? A Maryland therapist explains.
Neurodiversity refers to the idea that neurological differences, such as ADHD, Anxiety, ASD, and OCD, are natural variations of the human brain rather than disorders that need to be fixed. Neurodiversity affirming therapy is an approach that acknowledges and celebrates these differences, promoting acceptance and understanding.
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy: A Strengths Based Approach
Neurodiversity affirming therapy challenges the traditional medical model that pathologizes neurological differences. It recognizes that each individual's brain functions uniquely, contributing to a spectrum of abilities and challenges. In the context of therapy, embracing neurodiversity involves moving away from a deficit-based perspective to one that values and respects diverse ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
Neurodivergent vs. Neurodiverse vs. Neurospicy: What Does it Mean?
As we said above, neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in the human brain. In other words my brain and your brain are not the same. We always have neurodiversity in our world. So we can describe our communities and our families as neurodiverse, meaning they contain people with different kinds of brains. Confused yet?
People who have something unexpected or surprising about their brains are called neurodivergent. But also sometimes call themselves neurodiverse or even neurospicy. We really like that one!
The opposite of neurodivergent is neurotypical. But we don’t really know enough about the human brain to define what “typical” is. We tend not to use that term.
Our practice focuses on supporting neurodiverse families, which usually means families in which someone identifies as neurodivergent. Most often, someone in the family is diagnosed with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, an anxiety disorder, or dyslexia. And we see that as a strength, as well as a challenge.
“We do not need to cure neurodiversity. We need to embrace it.”
A Person-Centered (Individualized) Approach to Therapy
Neurodiversity affirming therapy is inherently person-centered, focusing on the individual's experiences, strengths, and goals. Rather than viewing neurodivergent traits as obstacles, this approach identifies and builds upon the person's inherent strengths. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to understand their neurodivergent experiences and develop coping strategies that align with their unique strengths.
How a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist Can Help
For neurodivergent clients, the journey often involves navigating a world that may not always understand or accommodate their unique traits. An experienced neurodiversity affirming therapist will
1. Celebrate Your Neurodivergent Talents and Build Your Confidence
Every neurodivergent individual possesses unique strengths and talents. Whether it's hyperfocus, attention to detail, creativity, or a deep understanding of patterns, these qualities are celebrated and explored in strength-based therapy. By acknowledging and appreciating these inherent strengths, you can start to feel better about yourself.
2. Build Your Resilience and Coping Skills
Living with neurodivergence sometimes means that you make more mistakes or face more challenges. You might have difficulty with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, or executive functioning. It’s important to have good coping skills, so that these struggles don’t wreck your day. Knowing yourself and what you do well can help you find the skills that work best for you.
3. Shift the Narrative from Deficit to Potential
Traditional approaches often frame neurodivergent conditions as deficits or disorders. Strength-Based Therapy challenges this narrative by emphasizing that neurodivergence is not a limitation but a unique way of experiencing the world. This shift in perspective fosters a sense of pride and self-acceptance.
4. Empower Self-Advocacy
Strength-Based Therapy empowers neurodivergent clients to become advocates for themselves. By understanding their strengths, clients can articulate their needs and preferences more effectively. This self-advocacy extends beyond the therapy room, influencing how you navigate relationships, education, and the workplace.
Strength-Based CBT, ACT, IFS, Art Therapy, and Play Therapy
As therapists experienced in various modalities, including CBT (Cognitive Behavioral therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and Play Therapy, we integrate a strength-based approach into a variety of therapeutic processes. Here's how:
1. Collaborative Goal Setting
You and your therapist set your therapeutic goals together. Your goals are based on your hopes for therapy, and your strengths and aspirations. This helps us choose interventions that can get you to where you want to be. Those interventions might come from CBT, ACT, or expressive therapies, or be uniquely yours.
2. Tailored Interventions
We work with neurodivergent individuals and families every day! This means that we’re already aware of many of the strengths that come from having this kind of brain. We may find some that you didn’t know you had. And you’ll show us the strengths that are unique to YOU.
We can then pick interventions that work well for your brain in particular. This might mean using more visual or physical strategies, incorporating creative activities, or adding mindfulness practices and executive functioning strategies.
3. Positive Reinforcement
You’ll find us affirming what you’re doing well, every single week. This positive feedback loop enhances your confidence in their abilities, and also helps identify the skills we can use to address challenges. It’s also an important component of another approach we use: solution-focused therapy.
4. Empathy and Understanding
Central to neurodiversity affirming therapy is the cultivation of empathy and understanding. Our therapists actively educate themselves about the specific neurodivergent conditions their clients may have, fostering a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths associated with each condition. This knowledge enables the therapist to provide more effective and tailored support.
5. Promoting Self-Advocacy
Empowering clients to become advocates for themselves is a crucial aspect of neurodiversity affirming therapy. We’ll work to develop your self-awareness, self-advocacy skills, and strategies for navigating a world that may not always be accommodating to neurodivergent people.
6. Creating Inclusive Spaces
Creating an inclusive therapeutic space is fundamental to neurodiversity affirming therapy. This involves considering sensory sensitivities, communication styles, and other factors that may impact the comfort and engagement of neurodivergent clients. We like to have room to move, things that spin, and other sensory comforts in our waiting and therapy rooms. The goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where you feel understood and accepted.
6. Incorporating Diverse Therapeutic Modalities
Drawing from a range of approaches enables us to use what works for you. Mindfulness, CBT, ACT, IFS, DBT, and play therapy can be adapted to align with the neurodivergent experiences of clients. The key is to tailor interventions to suit individual needs and preferences.
In conclusion, neurodiversity affirming therapy is a progressive and empathetic approach that recognizes the diversity of the human brain. As a psychotherapist committed to supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, embracing neurodiversity in therapy is not just a therapeutic choice—it's a core value. Join us in celebrating the unique strengths and perspectives that contribute to the rich tapestry of human experience.
