Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy and Coaching: A Guide to Inclusive, Strength-Based Support
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Apr 2, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 6
Are you a neurodivergent individual seeking neurodiversity-affirming therapy or coaching?
Or perhaps you are a therapist or mental health professional seeking to create a neurodiversity-affirming practice.
If so, you likely understand what "neurodivergent" means, but you might be wondering how this concept translates into practice.
Whether you are a neurodivergent person seeking therapy or a professional aiming to enhance your practice, you’ve come to the right place.
This blog will explore the definition of neurodivergence, explain neurodiversity-affirming therapy, discuss its objectives, and describe how Blue Sky Learning embodies this approach.
What is neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching?
A strengths-based, identity-affirming approach that supports neurodivergent people (ADHD, autism, AuDHD & more) by adapting environments—not “fixing” the person.
Table of Contents
What is Neurodiversity?
Importance of Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy
Types of Therapy and Coaching Available
Finding a Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapist
Conclusion
What is neurodivergence?
The term "neurodivergent" was coined in 2000 by Kassiane Asasumasu, an autism rights activist, during the autism rights movement that gained momentum in the 1990s.
During this period, people observed that many non-autistic individuals also experience differences in brain functioning that deviate from societal norms.
Kassiane Asasumasu introduced "neurodivergent" as a non-medical term to describe individuals whose neurocognitive functioning varies in several ways from dominant societal expectations.
"Neurodivergent" serves as an umbrella term encompassing a variety of neurotypes, with new neurotypes potentially being added over time.
Each person under this umbrella possesses unique traits and experiences. Some examples include:
Tourette’s Syndrome
Learning disabilities like dyslexia
Medical conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy
Other mental health conditions
Giftedness
And more (shown below)
Moreover, some identities, such as AuDHD (a combination of autism and ADHD), reflect combined neurodivergence.
Asasumasu created this term to foster inclusion and build a community among individuals whose brain functioning does not fit typical societal expectations.
Key Challenges Neurodivergent individuals Often Encounter
Neurodivergent individuals experience unique strengths and challenges compared to neurotypical people, whose brain functions align with societal norms.
Challenges neurodivergent individuals may face include:
Trouble focusing
Sensory sensitivities
Co-occurring mental health challenges
The aim is to describe these differences without labeling them as “normal” or “abnormal,” because there is no such thing as a "normal" human brain.
How Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy and Coaching Work
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy and neurodiversity-affirming coaching are grounded in the concept of neurodiversity, which acknowledges that people think and function in various ways.
In neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching, therapists and coaches view these differences as positive, contributing to a richer and more diverse world.
These variations allow different individuals to thrive in distinct environments, which helps humanity adapt and survive.
Certain environments may be more conducive to the success of neurodivergent individuals, while others may better suit neurotypical individuals.
The neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching model emphasizes identity rather than a medical viewpoint.
Mental health professionals recognize each individual's uniqueness and understand that everyone functions in their own way.
Neurodivergence is viewed as a vital aspect of a person's identity. Unlike the traditional medical model, where neurodivergence is regarded as a condition needing correction, neurodiversity-affirming therapy focuses on supporting individuals as they are.
This approach also considers intersectionality, addressing the additional challenges faced by women, LGBTQ+ individuals, BIPOC, and other marginalized communities.
Therapists or coaches create an environment that aligns with a client's neurodivergence, customizing their methods to suit their needs. This approach to therapy or coaching may take place virtually.
As the saying goes, “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.”
In this model, ableism and systemic systems that disable neurodivergent individuals are recognized as the problem, not the individual.
15 Practical Accommodations for Neurodivergent Clients
In neurodiversity-affirming therapy, accommodations and environmental changes that promote thriving are explored, much like in neurodiversity-affirming workplaces.
Here are some examples of accommodations for neurodivergent individuals in this model:
A quiet place to work
Noise-cancelling headphones
Extra time on assignments or tests
Permission for microbreaks
Flexible work hours
Opportunities for remote work
Written instructions
Shorter meetings
Access to stress-relief tools
Dimming the lights
A body double or work buddy
Regular check-ins or feedback
Use of planning software and automatic reminders
Visual aids or larger screens
Neurodiversity-affirming therapists and neurodiversity-affirming coaches help you identify your strengths and challenges, guiding you to discover what accommodations support your success.
They also acknowledge the external barriers that neurodivergent individuals face, focusing on how to navigate these challenges through environmental adjustments, rather than attempting to change the person.
On the other hand, non-affirming approaches often pressure individuals to conform to societal standards.
But Blue Sky Learning adopts a different approach.
Blue Sky Learning prioritizes altering the environment, not the individual. They celebrate your neurodivergent traits and acknowledge how they contribute to making the world a better place.
Core Goals of a Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
The objectives of therapy for neurodivergent individuals have evolved over the years.
Traditional, non-affirming therapy sought to fix or cure a person or force them to conform to societal norms.
As the understanding of neurodiversity-affirming therapy improves, more mental health professionals are embracing this approach in their practices.
The goals of neurodiversity-affirming therapy include:
Empowering Individuals: Therapists view neurodivergence as an essential part of your identity, empowering neurodivergent individuals to accept their differences and understand how their strengths enhance the world.
Accommodation and Support: Therapists assist clients in identifying environments where they thrive and finding suitable accommodations that can alleviate challenging situations so they don't have to mask their true selves.
Acknowledging Barriers: Neurodiversity-affirming therapists recognize the unique barriers neurodivergent individuals face. They work with you to navigate these challenges by focusing on changing the environment rather than trying to change you.
Adding Environmental Changes: Therapists incorporate adjustments suited to each client's needs, such as adjusting communication methods (i.e., written vs. verbal) to enhance the efficacy of therapy or coaching sessions.
How is Blue Sky Learning a Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice?
Blue Sky Learning is a coaching, counselling, and consulting business founded by Dana Daniels, who is dedicated to fostering an inclusive space where equity, diversity, and well-being are prioritized.
Dana's personal experience of neurodivergence, along with her background in teaching and leadership, supports her approach to accessibility and support for neurodivergent individuals.
Blue Sky Learning's therapists and coaches embrace a neurodiversity-affirming approach because they:
Do not attempt to fix or cure clients.
Empower clients to discover their strengths and be their authentic selves.
Offer flexible scheduling options, allowing clients to choose what works best for them.
Allow clients to turn off their camera or opt for phone sessions instead of video.
View clients as the experts on their own experiences, seeking to understand their unique strengths and challenges.
Embrace neurodivergent traits and needs.
Use intake forms, onboarding forms, and offboarding forms created by neurodivergent individuals for neurodivergent individuals.
Support identity-first language and use the infinity symbol.
Oppose harmful practices like the puzzle piece, Autism Speaks, and ABA therapy.
Honor your needs, whether that's moving around during sessions or not making eye contact.
Adjust the environment to fit your sensory needs, whether it's adjusting lighting or noise levels or using a fidget in session.
Confront ableism and systemic oppression.
Accept self-diagnosis as valid, acknowledging the challenges of obtaining a formal diagnosis.
Acknowledge that neurodivergent folks are a neuro-minority that face a world filled with ableism.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
Are you a neurodivergent individual seeking therapy or coaching that affirms your neurodivergent identity?
Book a free 20-minute consultation with a member of the Blue Sky Learning team by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or following the link below.
Blue Sky Learning team members embody values of compassion, empathy, and person-centered approaches.
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