Neurodiverse Affirming Practice Explained: Key Principles
Neurodiverse Affirming Practice Explained: Key Principles
Neurodiverse affirming therapy is all about recognising and respecting the diversity of human brains and minds. It embraces neurodiversity, which includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, giftedness, developmental language disorder, and other neurological differences as a natural and valuable part of human variation alongside those that are neurotypical. Instead of trying to "fix" or change individuals to fit a neurotypical mould, this approach supports each person's unique strengths and challenges.
Key Principles of Neurodiverse Affirming Therapy
Respect for Neurodiversity: We emphasise that neurological differences are part of human diversity, not deficits. Our therapists avoid pathologising these differences and instead celebrate and respect them.
Individualised Support: Therapy is tailored to meet the specific needs, strengths, and preferences of each person. This means adapting communication methods, sensory supports, and intervention strategies to fit the individual's unique profile.
Collaboration and Empowerment: We work collaboratively with children and their families, empowering them to advocate for their needs and make informed choices about their care. The child’s voice and experiences are highly valued.
Strengths-Based Approach: Our focus is on building on the child's strengths and interests, which helps boost self-esteem and motivation.
Environment and Accommodations: We recognise the importance of creating supportive environments and providing necessary accommodations to help neurodivergent individuals thrive in various settings, like school and social situations.
Avoiding Harmful Practices: We steer clear of therapies and interventions that aim to eliminate or suppress neurodivergent traits or behaviours, such as certain Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) practices that may be considered coercive or harmful by some in the neurodivergent community.
Promoting Self-Advocacy: We encourage neurodivergent individuals to understand their own needs and advocate for themselves effectively. This involves building skills in self-awareness, self-regulation, and communication.
Neurodiverse affirming therapy aims to create a more inclusive and supportive world for neurodivergent individuals by fostering understanding, acceptance, and respect for neurological differences.
"Neuro-affirming practices acknowledge that differences are not deficits, rather strengths.
That what is required is acceptance, accommodations, and support which affirms the student or child’s neurodivergent identity; not fixing, curing, or forcing to comply with neurotypical expectations." - Christina Keeble, From The Inclusive Classroom: Neuro-affirming Teaching Practices Seminar
What Neurodiverse Affirming Practice is NOT
Neurodiverse affirming practices focus on respecting and valuing neurodiversity. In contrast, practices that are not neurodiverse affirming often emphasise conformity to neurotypical standards, sometimes to the detriment of the individual's well-being. Here are some key characteristics and practices that are not neurodiverse affirming:
Pathologizing Neurodivergence
Deficit-Based Models: Viewing neurological differences solely as deficits or disorders that need to be cured, fixed, or masked.
Labelling and Stereotyping: Using negative labels or stereotypes that reinforce stigma and misunderstandings about neurodivergent individuals.
Suppressing Neurodivergent Traits
Elimination of Stimming: Forcing individuals to stop self-stimulatory behaviours (stimming) without understanding their purpose and necessity for self-regulation.
Discouraging Unique Communication Styles: Trying to eliminate non-traditional forms of communication, such as echolalia or scripting, rather than recognizing their communicative validity and value.
Rigid and Inflexible Approaches
One-Size-Fits-All: Applying standardised interventions without adapting to the individual's unique needs and preferences.
Ignoring Sensory Needs: Failing to accommodate or address sensory sensitivities and preferences, leading to discomfort and distress.
Behavioural Compliance Focus
Behavioural Conditioning: Using methods that focus on compliance and behaviour modification, such as some forms of ABA, without considering the individual's autonomy and dignity.
Punitive Measures: Employing punishment or negative reinforcement to control behaviour, which can be harmful and disrespectful.
Disregarding Autonomy
Excluding the Individual from Decision-Making: Making therapeutic decisions without involving the individual in the process, thus disregarding their preferences and autonomy.
Overlooking Self-Advocacy: Not encouraging or supporting the individual to advocate for their own needs and choices.
Neglecting Individual Strengths and Interests
Deficit-Focused Goals: Setting therapy goals that focus primarily on what the individual cannot do, rather than building on their strengths and interests.
Ignoring Interests: Failing to incorporate the individual's passions and interests into therapy activities, which can reduce engagement and motivation.
Lack of Respect for Neurodiverse Identities
Trying to 'Normalise' Individuals: Pressuring neurodivergent individuals to conform to neurotypical standards of behaviour, communication, and social interaction, rather than respecting their unique identity.
Disregarding Cultural Competence: Overlooking the cultural and social contexts of neurodivergent individuals, leading to misunderstandings and ineffective support.
Inadequate Education and Training
Lack of Knowledge about Neurodiversity: Therapists who do not stay informed about neurodiverse affirming practices and fail to engage with the latest research and the neurodivergent community.
Not Seeking Input from Neurodivergent Individuals: Ignoring the lived experiences and insights of neurodivergent individuals, which can provide valuable guidance for effective and respectful therapy.
Avoiding these non-affirming practices is essential to providing respectful, supportive, and empowering care for neurodivergent individuals.
"Neurodiversity-Affirming Care is a collaboration where the neurodivergent person's perspectives matter more than anyone else's." - Claire Britton, The Neurodivergent OT
Claire Britton, Principal Occupational Therapist at Neuroinclusion, will spend the morning sharing valuable insights into the following:
1. Understand the 8 senses
2. How diagnoses can alter our senses
3. Synesthesia types
4. Supporting vestibular input
5. Supporting oral input
6. Supporting proprioceptive input
7. Supporting self-awareness and advocacy of sensory needs
8. Supporting sensory needs at home
9. Supporting sensory needs in the classroom
10. Supporting sensory needs in extra curricular activities
11. Summary
This is a HYBRID event. You may choose to attend in person (limited availability) or attend our event online, live. This event will be recorded and be available for 30 days.
This workshop is suitable for anyone who is interested in sensory processing in children - therapists, teachers, parents, therapy assistants, education assistants, medical professionals.
