What is Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy?

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Neurodiversity has its roots in the social model of disability, which considers disability to be a civil rights issue. The social model rejects the notion that an individual must be “normal” to enjoy the full range of human experience, arguing that an impairment should not constitute a barrier to inclusion or access.

The term “neurodiversity” was coined in the late 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer, who is autistic herself.

Singer, along with the American journalist Harvey Blume, recognized that what we call “diversity”, i.e. the variety we observe and value around us, can also be applied to people whose brains are different. These variations include autism, ADHD, the various forms of ‘dys’ (-lexia, -praxia, -calculia etc.), learning disability and more.

A Neurodiversity Affirming therapist is trauma informed, person-centered, and humanistic with an understanding that different neurotypes, such as ADHD or Autism, are not something that needs to be “cured” or “corrected”.  They will also celebrate your strengths, help you to advocate for yourself, and become your partner in progress.