What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a frame work which emphasizes there is no “right way” to process information or experience emotions.
We all are in bodies, and all of our bodies process information differently. Some of us experience sounds as “too loud” or textures as “too itchy”, and instead of powering through those experiences, I invite clients to honor their experiences and make accommodations for ourselves, instead of saying “Well I shouldn’t feel this way”.
For example, are you feeling overwhelmed by the sound of someone chewing? Instead of ignoring that feeling, how do we accommodate our selves? Do we take soothing breathes, ground ourselves with a sensory fidget, or wear earplugs that work for us? Do we communicate how we feel, do we leave the room or do we consider another option that empowers us while respecting our relationships? I invite clients to not only change how they respond to their environment but also how they respond to their own needs through cultivating self-compassion.
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is considered a “neurodevelopment disorder“ listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which is a textbook used by mental health providers to diagnosis clients. ADHD encapsulates a wide range of symptoms including but not limited to difficulties with attention, challenges with emotional regulation, and challenges with time management.
My approach to working with ADHD is rooted in cultivating self-compassion for the times we make mistakes, and holding ourselves accountable to the goals we set for ourselves. Many of my clients have experience “demand avoidance”, and one workaround for that is creating goals that excite and inspire us. Through identifying our values and reorienting ourselves to our values, whether that’s creativity or independence, we can move towards creating a future that feels sustainable for us.
Autism
Autism has many similarities to ADHD, but also some key differences. Autism (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ‘ASD’) is also categorized as a neurodevelopment disorder by the DSM. Autism also encapsulates a wide range of symptoms including but not limited to difficulty reciprocating in relationships, restrictive interests, and difficulties with non-verbal language.
Many of my clients who identify as Autistic express difficulties de-coding the unspoken social rules neurotypical people seem to understand with such ease, and need more “recharge” time after daily tasks such as school and work than their peers.
My approach to working within the Autistic community is rooted in honoring our limitations, such as allowing guilt-free rest, creating sensory breaks, and grieving our differences if needed. So many of my clients compare themselves to others and say “I should be able to do that” and spiral into self-hatred when they cannot do the things “they should” be able to do. My work as a neurodivergent affirming therapist is often focused on challenging narratives of “should” and reorienting to narratives that make life more tolerable.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is categorized as a compulsive disorder, and is considered a part of neurodivergence because it’s a neurological disorder. OCD has two primary features: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are repetitive, unwanted thoughts and the compulsions are behaviors that reduce the anxiety of the unwanted thought.
My approach to OCD is eclectic and can shift depending on the client. However, what remains consistent is I’m always curious about my client’s relationship to their OCD. Is something they view as a mildly annoying, or intensely painful? How much space does OCD take up in their life, and how much do they want that to change? These questions may have different answers depending on my client’s lived experiences.
My primary interventions are based in tenants of I-CBT, meaning I explore the purpose and origins of the unwanted thoughts and look for evidence as to why the unwanted thoughts are untrue. I also integrate distress tolerance skills, narrative therapy, and elements of CBT into my work with the consent of the client, as not everyone has had positive experiences with CBT.
Focus on Self-Empowerment
Neurodivergence as an identity is a self-described identity, and I am not the gatekeeper of my client’s identities. Not everyone will agree on what neurodivergence means. I’m primarily focused on how my client identifies and if that feels empowering to them. After all, the focus of therapy is primarily fostering a better relationship with yourself, your community, and improving the overall quality of your life, and together I believe we can foster these changes.