Neurodiversity and the Window of Tolerance: a Trauma-Informed Perspective

Neurodiversity affirming therapists must work from a trauma-informed perspective. Here’s why.

Regardless of our beginnings we all have a window of tolerance (WoT). For many reasons, this window can be smaller in people who are neurodivergent. Many neurodivergent people also experience trauma as others try to fix or change the way their brains work. To truly provide neurodiversity affirming care, therapists must incorporate awareness of both WoT and trauma.

Neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neuroqueer, or neurospicy?

Here’s a quick refresher. Neurodiversity is the idea that there is natural variation in the human brain. This concept is an important foundation for inclusion of people who have been told they have neurological differences. These might include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, epilepsy, and more.

A person may identify themselves as neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neuroqueer, neurospicy, or just human! They may carry a specific diagnosis, or simply recognize that their way of doing things isn’t what others might expect. The bottom line is that every person possesses a unique neurobiological profile, influencing how they perceive and interact with the world around them. And no one way is “right.”

I can only handle this much!

What is the Window of Tolerance (WoT)?

Imagine a window – not just any window, but one that represents the range of emotional and physiological states within which a person can effectively cope with stressors. This window of tolerance encompasses both the highs and lows of emotional arousal.

When someone is within this window, they can manage life's challenges with relative ease, maintaining a sense of equilibrium and stability. However, trauma, whether it be a single overwhelming event or chronic adversity, can shrink this window, making it difficult for a person to regulate their emotions and navigate daily life.

From a trauma-informed perspective, it's crucial for your therapist to recognize when you are outside your WoT. Everyone is outside their WoT sometimes.

When this happens to you, you may be feeling hyperarousal (feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or agitated). Or hypoarousal (feeling numb, disconnected, or shut down). Your therapist should help you move back toward your WoT in that moment.

If you’re a person who doesn’t notice their feelings easily (this is really common!) your actions might tell you you’re outside your WoT. You might find yourself yelling or losing patience, or having a panic attack. You might notice that you want to stay away from people. If you are autistic, you may experience autistic burnout.

If you have these experiences, you already know that this is not the time to connect with others. When you are operating outside of your WoT it is actually impossible for you to engage or connect with people. This is why getting back to your WoT is so important.

Factors Influencing the Window of Tolerance (WoT) in Neurodivergent Individuals:

For those who are neurodivergent, hypoarousal or hyperarousal can also be the result of sensory sensitivities or other needs. A history of trauma can magnify sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and social communication difficulties. (Remember, social communication doesn’t work for anyone who’s outside their WoT.) Trauma + neurodivergence may mean you’re starting with a smaller or less flexible WoT.

Sensory Processing Differences

Many people with neurodivergent brains experience sensory sensitivities, where certain stimuli may overwhelm or dysregulates them. These sensory challenges can narrow their WoT, making it harder for them to cope with everyday sensory experiences.

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning difficulties, common in conditions like ADHD and ASD, affect a person's ability to plan, organize, and regulate their behavior. Poor executive functioning can lead to impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty in maintaining attention, all of which can impact the size of their WoT.

Social Communication Challenges

Neurodivergent individuals may struggle with understanding social cues, navigating social interactions, and expressing themselves effectively. These challenges can increase stress and anxiety, potentially narrowing their WoT.

How trauma Informed therapy can help expand your WoT

Here are some trauma-informed strategies that your therapist might use, whether you identify as neurodivergent or not.

Psychoeducation

Knowledge is power. Providing you with a clear understanding of the window of tolerance and how trauma impacts your nervous system can be empowering. It can help you recognize when you are outside your window and give you tools to self-regulate.

Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and sensory grounding, can help you anchor yourself in the present moment, soothing your nervous system and bringing you back within the window of tolerance. Your therapist may do these with your throughout your session, to bring you back into your WoT.

Building Resilience

Resilience is like a muscle – it can be strengthened over time. Encouraging you to engage in activities that promote resilience, such as exercise, social connection, and creative expression, can help you expand your window of tolerance over time.

Creating Safety

Safety is fundamental to healing from trauma. Creating a safe therapeutic environment where you feel heard, understood, and supported can facilitate healing and allow you to explore your trauma within your window of tolerance.

Trauma Processing

When you are ready, trauma processing techniques such as trauma focused CBT, somatic experiencing, and narrative therapy can help you integrate your traumatic experiences and expand your window of tolerance. There many different options for this stage of treatment, and the choice is always yours.

Key Components of Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy

Individualized Supports

Our therapists tailor interventions to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of each person. This may include providing sensory accommodations, visual supports, and structured routines that you find helpful. We might dim the lights, and offer blankets, swings, and other tools that work for you.

Sensory Self Regulation Strategies

Self regulation in a therapy session starts with providing the supports you wants and need. If you’re looking for more ways to expand your window of tolerance, a therapist can give you ideas. We can teach sensory regulation techniques. And help you notice your own body’s signals that it’s time to use them.

Executive Functioning Support

Your brain might really love a certain way of doing things. We’ll take that, and find ways to apply it to tasks you want to complete. We’ll typically break tasks into manageable steps with you. And help you design visual schedules, incorporate multisensory cues, and set yourself up for success.

A Level of Social Engagement Selected by You (not Social Skills Training)

Often times our neurodivergent clients tell us they want more friends. But not always! If you want to find people that you like to be around, we’ll help with that. We’ll show you how friendships can work for both people, even when the people are different from each other. If you’d like a script for a situation, or think it would be helpful to practice, we’ll do that too. The goal is for you to be you, and be as social as you’d like to be.

Trauma-Informed Approach

People don’t always understand your way of thinking. And sometimes they say or do things that shame you or even hurt you. Therapy can be a place to heal from that in your own way. We can do that with books, conversation, or no words at all! Our office has plenty of materials to help you work through things in the way that works for you.

Patience with the Process

All therapy is a process that requires patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of the complex interplay between trauma and resilience. We recognize that everyone’s window of tolerance is different. We won’t rush you. You’ll control the pace as you expand your window of tolerance.

When you’re ready to expand your window of tolerance, our expert neurodiversity affirming therapists can help. Read about our services here.

In the realm of psychotherapy, understanding the delicate balance of the window of tolerance (WoT) is paramount. It's a concept that resonates deeply with our therapists, who have dedicated their careers to helping amazing people with ADHD, ASD, ODD, anxiety, trauma, and other challenges navigate life.