We explain more about neurodiversity-affirming therapy, how it can help, and how to find a neurodiversity-affirming therapist

Neurodiversity refers to the different ways we naturally think and process information, learn, and behave. Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourette’s syndrome all fall within the neurodiversity umbrella. 

Some neurodivergent people may be more likely to experience mental health problems and research suggests they may be more likely to experience depression or anxiety, due to stigma, discrimination, negative attitudes from others, misdiagnosis, making it harder to access help, and other barriers affecting access to support. 

Pressure from others to conform to neurotypical expectations or standards (e.g. forcing themselves to try and maintain eye contact during conversations, trying to take part in small talk that might cause increased anxiety and stress) can also negatively impact neurodivergent individuals’ sense of wellbeing

Neurodiversity-affirmative care aims to work respectfully with neurodivergent people. At their core, neurodiversity-affirming therapists recognise that neurodivergence can come with its own set of strengths, and is not something that needs to be ‘fixed’. 

What is neurodiversity-affirming therapy?

Rather than being a specific set of things a therapist does or says, neurodiversity-affirming therapy is about a therapist’s underlying understanding, approach to treatment, and philosophy. Neurodiversity-affirming therapists recognise that neurodivergence isn’t something to be ‘fixed’ or ‘corrected’, while also acknowledging it can be disabling. 

A neurodiversity-affirming therapist acknowledges that individuals are the experts on their own experiences, positive and negative, and listen to neurodivergent communities as they determine the language, treatment interventions, and resources that are most appropriate for them, rather than focusing on neurotypical expectations. 

The British Psychological Society explains that neurodiversity affirmative practitioners, when working respectfully with autistic people within a neurodiversity affirmative framework, should:

  • Support fostering a positive autistic identity as a priority goal. This includes supporting them in valuing their own communication style, recognising and increasing their own personal strengths, and helping them understand how to advocate for themselves. 
  • Ensure that the autistic community is at the centre of everything they do. This means listening to autistic experiences, learning and engaging with the autistic community and autistic-led research and the autistic community’s priorities for language and support. This also includes listening to and respecting autistic culture and identity, such as symbols that some may identify with (infinity symbol) and those that they reject (puzzle pieces). 
  • Reframe the autistic experience from a disorder to a neurotype. While medical models and classifications may refer to autism as a disorder, being autistic means experiencing the world in a different way, rather than being a disorder. 
  • Stop pathologising autistic ways of being. For example, people can find different styles of communication to be more helpful or enjoyable. This doesn’t mean that there is a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to communicate.
  • Focus on ways of supporting needs and challenges autistic people experience, not changing autistic ways of being. Rather than focusing on changing behaviours of the individual, focusing on self-advocacy, self-determination, and adapting the environment to better suit their needs.
  • Recognise the value of diversity, that there is value in living a disabled life, and that value is not tied to productivity. 
  • Reject compliance-based behaviour approaches. These include approaches such as applied behaviour analysis (ABA), which focus on the goal of ensuring autistic children and adults are indistinguishable from neurotypical peers. Research has shown compliance-based behavioural methods can have significant negative long-term effects on people’s mental health.
  • Reject neurotypical social skills training. Some social skills training may encourage social masking, and can lead to feelings of shame and ableism as individuals may feel that they have to hide or mask parts of themselves to be accepted. 
  • Advocate for systems and environmental changes. 

Do I need to work with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist if I am neurodivergent?

Finding a therapist that’s right for you is what is most important. The more comfortable you feel, the more able you may feel to open up, discuss topics that are sensitive or you are particularly worried about, and put yourself out there. Feeling safe to open up and be vulnerable is an essential part of therapy, as it helps build a trusting relationship, allowing you to more fully engage with therapy. This can mean trying out working with different therapists, using different types of therapy, until you find one that clicks. 

Feeling that you can trust your therapist, that they have good intentions, and that they have your best interests at heart can help you to feel more comfortable during therapy. Working with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist can help to refocus the conversation on your unique strengths, needs and challenges. 

If you are neurodivergent, working with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist can be helpful, as they may have a better understanding of some of the challenges you may be facing. A neurodiversity-affirming therapist may have a specific interest in helping neurodivergent clients, may have undertaken extra training, attended events, or may keep up with relevant research and developments specifically from neurodivergent communities, neurodiverse-led research and conferences. Your emotional and psychological wellbeing are both key.

Traditionally, mental health has been approached using a medical model, which sees mental illnesses as something to be treated or fixed. While neurodivergent people may be more likely to experience some mental illnesses like anxiety and depression (for example, around 40% of autistic people experience an anxiety disorder compared to 15% of the general population), neurodivergence itself is not something to be fixed. Those without an understanding of neurodiversity-affirming therapy may suggest changing, ‘fixing’, or ‘correcting’ behaviours that are atypical, which can encourage social masking – something which can be highly stressful for autistic people, and can lead to burnout and feelings of shame. 

For some, working with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist can take off some of the pressure in working with their therapist. This can be because they will not need to explain more about neurodivergence, as their therapist will have more background knowledge around neurodiversity. 

Remember: You do not need an official diagnosis to seek help and support from neurodiversity-affirming therapists. Some people find having an official diagnosis to be helpful, while others may not like the idea of being labelled. Accessing official diagnosis can also be challenging for both adults and children, with adults waiting up to five and a half years according to key findings from Autistica. Seeking help and support that works for you isn’t reliant on waiting for a label. Finding methods to support your individual needs is key. 

How do I find a neurodiversity-affirming therapist?

Finding a therapist who is right for you can be tricky. Many neurodiversity-affirming therapists highlight their individual areas of experience and expertise on their personal profile on larger directories or on their personal websites. Looking for therapists who specifically talk about working with neurodivergent clients can help. 

Before booking an appointment, you can always ask more about what to expect from therapy sessions with an individual therapist, as many offer different unique approaches based on individual clients' needs. Learning more about the underlying framework and philosophy they have and their individual approaches can be helpful in getting a better picture of what you can expect. Asking if a therapist offers neurodiversity-affirming therapy, what this means to them, or how it looks in their practice can also be helpful. If you aren't sure what to ask or how to phrase things, these questions to ask a counsellor before starting therapy may help.

As with any kind of therapy, sometimes the first therapist you work with may not fit your needs. It’s OK to try out working with different individuals until you find someone you feel comfortable talking with, and a kind of therapy you feel might work best for you. 

Discover more about neurodiversity-affirming therapy and finding a neurodiversity-affirming therapist on Counselling Directory.