Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy and Coaching: A Guide to Inclusive, Strength-Based Support
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Apr 2, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 21
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.
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.
Examples of neurodivergence
Learning disabilities like dyslexia
Tourette's syndrome
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 differences as positive. 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 also emphasizes identity rather than a medical viewpoint. Neurodivergence is seen as a vital aspect of a person's identity. Unlike the medical model, where neurodivergence is regarded as a condition needing correction, neurodiversity-affirming therapy focuses on supporting individuals as they are.
This neurodiversity-affirming approach also considers intersectionality and works to address 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. 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.
50 Practical Accommodations for Neurodivergent Clients
In neurodiversity-affirming therapy, accommodations and environmental changes that promote thriving are explored, much like in neurodiversity-affirming workplaces.
Neurodiversity-affirming therapists and neurodiversity-affirming coaches help you identify your strengths and challenges to discover what accommodations support your success.
Here are 50 examples of accommodations for neurodivergent individuals in this model (expand to view accommodations)
Quiet, low-stimulation session space
Noise-reducing headphones or a white noise machine
Extra time for exercises or reflections
Permission for microbreaks during sessions
Teletherapy / virtual session options
Flexible session scheduling
Written session summaries and instructions
Shorter or segmented session structures
Adjustable lighting in the session room
Optional session “co-pilot” or support person
Regular check-ins and structured feedback
Use of planning or organizational software
Visual aids (charts, diagrams, slides)
Enlarged materials for easier reading
Closed captions on video/audio content
High-contrast or dyslexia-friendly text
Alternative communication modes (chat, text, email, voice notes)
Option to record sessions for review
Movement-friendly environment (standing desk, stretch area)
Choice of session format (1:1, group, blended)
Sensory-friendly furniture (soft chairs, cushions)
Structured agendas or session outlines provided in advance
Timers or visual countdowns for activities
Breaking complex tasks into smaller steps
Templates or worksheets for skill practice
Self-paced reflection or homework exercises
Multi-sensory learning tools (audio, visual, tactile)
Assistive technology support (screen readers, speech-to-text)
Adjustable font sizes on digital materials
Option to dim or brighten the screen for visual comfort
Personalized reminder systems for appointments or tasks
Customizable visual schedules for sessions
Noise-blocking room dividers for group sessions
Calm-down corner or dedicated quiet space within the therapy room
Use of aromatherapy or calming scents if sensory-safe
Permission to stand, move, or pace during sessions
Use of timers for transitions between activities
Visual step-by-step instructions for exercises
Encouragement of client-led agenda items
Gamified exercises to enhance engagement
Use of props or manipulatives to illustrate concepts
Regular breaks for hydration or snacks
Option to use personal comfort items (blanket, cushion) during sessions
Allowing different response formats (drawing, writing, verbal)
Providing digital copies of all resources and worksheets
Creating session rituals for predictability and safety
Shorter bursts of cognitive tasks instead of long, continuous work
Flexible participation options for clients with fatigue or sensory overload
Adjusting session pacing according to the client’s attention or energy levels
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.
Encourage 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.
Honour 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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