You have probably heard this words in non-clinical spaces. It has become part of the lingo people use to speak about what they think is helpful for neurodivergent folks. It has become so common, it is often unclear what this actually means in the context of therapy.
Neuroaffirming, or neurodiversity affirming, refers to the framework within which I work when working with neurodivergent folks. It frames our brain wiring and nervous systems as neurodiverse, as in, we all have different, unique brain wiring. How we each experience the world is unique because of this. Kassiane Asasumasu, who developed the term neurodivergent, notes “neurodivergent is a term of inclusion NOT a term of exclusion”. She defines neurodivergent people as “those whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms” and states that “neurodivergent refers to neurologically divergent from typical.”. Keep in mind this has to do with society’s expectations and ideas around what “typical”means. Neurodivergent can include any of the following:
Autism
ADHD
CPTSD
OCD
Bipolar
Dyslexia
Plurality
Epilepsy
Dysgraphia
Alzheimer’s
Tourettes
Acquired Brain Injuries
Synesthesia
DID and OSDD
Psychosis
Stuttering
Down Syndrome
Anxiety
Dyspraxia
Plurality
Intellectual Disabilities
Eating Disorders
Dyscalculia
Personality disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Giftedness
Other neurodivergence not listed
(List attributed to Jade Farrington, Counselor and Therapist)
A neurodiversity framework moves away from the medical model of the DSMV-TR, which looks at diagnosis, symptoms, and behaviors. It is cold, clinical, has bias, is deficit-based and does not encompass the whole of a person’s experience of the world. It reduces people to their symptoms, and encourages the idea that neurodivergent folks need to be fixed or treated. A neurodiversity framework instead seeks to look at a person’s experience of the world, beyond what a list of symptoms says is criteria for a diagnosis. It embodies the whole person, emphasizes strengths, explores areas of the environment which need to change to better support neurodivergent needs, validates different styles of communication, and does not seek to change the person to meet “neurotypical” standards and expectations.
On a personal note, I took a deep dive into the neurodiversity model, as mom to an autistic child, now almost young adult. I spent time reading and listening to autistic voices and learning from autistic adults. It has allowed me to bring a different, more supportive and empathetic perspective for my clients. Diagnosed, undiagnosed or self-diagnosed autistic folks can feel free to explore their autistic identity with compassion, to explore supports and needs that make their life less stressful, and to better understand their unique brain. On my end, it means I will not assume knowledge, will take each autistic or neurodivergent person as an individual, will validate each person’s unique experience, and I will continue to learn from neurodivergent and autistic folks, both professionally and individually.