Neurotypical is not the goal: Key considerations for Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

What is Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy?

The Neurodiversity-Affirming Paradigm is grounded in the Neurodiversity Movement, which recognizes neurological diversity as a naturally-occurring variation in human neurology. 

This is a fundamental shift from the pathology paradigm that therapists have been trained in, which centers around a conceptual "normal," and where deviation from that definition is labeled as "disordered." 

The Neurodiversity-Affirming Paradigm recognizes neurotype as an essential element of one’s identity and not something to be cured.

Many therapists, through explicit training in graduate programs and beyond, have been taught to focus therapeutic goals on behavioral change that will reduce "atypical" presentations and greater align with this so-called "normal" ideal, which is often defined in terms of productivity and perceived contributions to society through a capitalistic lens. 

Not only does this approach disempower clients by defining desirable outcomes on their behalf rather than inquiring about and encouraging clients' definitions of their own desired outcomes, it also leaves many well-intentioned therapists potentially perpetuating a harmful agenda that promotes self-abandonment in the name of conformity and leaves neurodivergent folks feeling even more "wrong" or "broken" in a society that already sends them plenty of messages that this is the case. 

In this way, therapists may actually end up encouraging masking and camouflaging behaviors (a topic for another blog post!) which are known to adversely impact mental health in neurodivergent folks - and doing real harm to their neurodivergent clients. This is why it is so essential that therapists are offered a different, more-informed approach that affirms and supports these individuals.

How can therapists take a Neurodiversity-Affirming approach?

When we shift our therapeutic lens from one of disorders to one of differences in neurotype, there are significant implications for how we approach working with clients in therapy.

At baseline, a neurodiversity-affirming approach in therapy de-centers conformity and shifts the focus to empowerment of neurodivergent folks through increased self-understanding, acceptance, and expression. The central theme becomes how to know, love, care for, and express who one is.

What does it mean to work with someone's Neurotype?

We cannot change a person’s neurotype, nor should we approach work with neurodivergent clients as if that were the goal. Instead, therapists should seek to understand, and work with, each client's personal experience of the world as a result of their unique neurology.

When we hear "neuro" we often think of the brain, but one's neurotype goes beyond the brain to the entire neurological system: the brain, spinal cord, and central & peripheral nervous systems. An individual’s neurotype determines how they process and interact with the world around them, and is a core aspect of identity.

Neurodivergent folks often have a highly sensitive nervous system, and can experience both hypo- and hyper-sensitivity to inner and outer stimuli. As such, a neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy needs to consider the nervous system.

When a traditional approach won't work: some examples for illustration.

Remember, a core tenet of a neurodiversity-affirming approach is understanding someone in their own unique experience, so this can look as many different ways as there are clients! For the sake of illustration, let's look at some common "traditional" approaches to therapy, and why they may not work for your neurodivergent clients.

In Summary

A neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy:

• Recognizes neurological diversity as a naturally-occurring variation in human neurology
• Holds the therapeutic lens of differences in neurotype to be understood rather than disorders to be cured
• Encourages authenticity and empowerment not conformity to neurotypical "norms"
• Is aware of the harmful impact of masking and camouflaging on the mental health of neurodivergent folks
• Considers the nervous system
• Understands when traditional approaches to treatment would be contraindicated and adapts to the needs of each individual client