28 Mar What is neuroaffirmative practice?
What does Neuroaffirmative mean?
Firstly we need to explain the term “neurodivergent”. Neurodivergent people are those who experience neurological differences from the recognised norm. These include conditions such as Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and many others. Neuroaffirmative practice is a relatively new approach to healthcare that aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment for neurodivergent people. It seeks to recognise and celebrate the differences in individuals and offers tailored support that is attuned to their specific needs. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of a neuroaffirmative approach for neurodivergent people.
Why is neuroaffirmative practice important?
Neurodivergent people often face stigma and discrimination that makes it difficult for them to access appropriate support. Traditional therapies often follow a medical model that assumes that individuals with neurological differences need to be ‘fixed’ or ‘normalised’. In contrast, neuroaffirmative therapy takes an approach that recognises that neurodivergent people have their own unique strengths, interests, and challenges. The focus is on understanding each patient’s specific neurodivergent condition and working with them to develop personalised strategies for coping and thriving in their own lives.
One of the key advantages of neuroaffirmative practice is that it actively promotes and celebrates neurodiversity. This means that rather than viewing neurodivergent conditions as deficits or disorders, they are taken as differences that are part of the natural variation of human neurology. By embracing this approach, patients are empowered to understand and appreciate their own unique talents and abilities. This is a good time to point out that many successful people over history have been neurodiverse, including Temple Grandin, Simone Biles, Greta Thunburg and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Importantly, this is also about increasing the self-confidence and self-acceptance for neurodivergent people who previously were often made to feel ‘wrong’. This has frequently led to neurodivergent people masking their differences, meaning they are trying to hide their authentic selves. This can lead them to feelings of fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression.
Neuroaffirmative practice also places great emphasis on making patients feel comfortable and safe during their sessions. For example, practitioners may choose to use more sensory-friendly environments that reduce stimulation, such as using soft lighting or playing calming music. This creates a more inclusive and accepting environment that helps neurodivergent individuals feel understood and supported. Additionally, the therapist may use language that is more suited to their patient’s communication style, such as visual aids for those who process information more easily in this way.
Another significant benefit of Neuroaffirmative Therapy is that it helps neurodivergent people to develop the necessary skills to manage their challenges in day-to-day life. This could include developing coping strategies for handling sensory overload, improving social skills, or learning how to advocate for themselves in situations where their needs are not being met. The goal is to empower the patient to take charge of their own well-being, giving them a sense of control over their lives.
What do we do at PHC?
At Prosper Health Collective one of our values is ‘We see you, we care’ which is about taking the time to deeply listen to your concerns with compassion and empathy. It is about welcoming diversity and showing acceptance to you during your therapy. We want to understand what it is that you want out of life and how we can help you make life more meaningful. We understand that life goals are different for different people. We understand that what is meaningful for a neurotypical person may not be the same for a neurodivergent person. Collaborative goal setting is a key component to our therapy approach. This is about working together and ensuring that you prosper and create a life full of meaning. This is something we aim for for all individuals, neurodiverse and neurotypical alike. To make sure that we are helping you reach a more fulfilled life.
If you believe yourself or your child would benefit from neuroaffirmative practices, you might like to consider contacting us at Prosper Health Collective for some extra support. We provide Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Psychology services.
