Neurodivergent-Affirming

Neurodiversity is a paradigm that states the diversity seen in neurodevelopment (brain development) is normal and gives strength to a population. Neurodivergent is an identity and umbrella that embraces those that feel their brains have developed diverging from what is considered normative. Diagnostically, this traditionally includes Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Obessive-Compulsive Disoder (OCD). However, using a lens that embraces neurodiversity, symptoms related to diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder can also be understood as neurdoivergent traits that need support and appropriate outlets, rather than pathology that needs to be reduced or eliminated.

Here are ways in which neurodivergent-affirming care show up:

• The impact of sensory experience is examined, with aim to understand how sights, sounds, touches, tastes, and smells impact regulation of emotion, energy, anxiety, motivation, focus, etc. Sensory experiences are also understood as channels to help create regulation, i.e. pleasing/soothing sights, sounds, touches, and tastes.

• Client's autonomy is protected and encouraged. Therapist uses declarative language to avoid emphasis of power differentials

• Non-normative language and other expression of emotional experiences is embraced, encouraged, and validated

• Validation is used to help develop self-assurance, which is generally under developed in those with unrecognized or pathologized neurodivergent traits