To quote Dr. Nick Walker: "the diversity of human brains and minds – the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.”  “Neurodiversity is a biological fact. It’s not a perspective, an approach, a belief, a political position, or a paradigm.” 

Neurodivergent as a term is often associated with autism and ADHD; however, it is not a synonym for autism and ADHD. Neurodivergent is sometimes an umbrella-term for a wide variety of brains. We may be born with difference and/or acquire difference, such as with traumatic stress.

Neurodivergent is a term inclusive of a multitude of neurotypes, such as the bipolar spectrum, traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and more; however, the term itself is more of a strengths-based lens of identifying with difference.

I include tabs on support for autistic adults and ADHD/AuDHD in this category due to the common association with the term Neurodivergent.

According to the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: “The Neurodiversity Movement says that people with brain-based disabilities (like autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, or mental health disabilities) should be accepted and included in society just like neurotypical people (people without brain-based disabilities).”

In a nutshell, honoring variation of neurotypes among human beings. It means validating our lived experience and accepting, empowering, and facilitating authentic expression.

It means acknowledging the challenges that may arise, whether that be personally, environmentally, relationally, societally, with openness, curiosity, and nonjudgment.

It means recognizing strengths and challenges, without either invalidating the other.

It means not pushing someone to conform for the sake of conformity, or to push someone to act a certain way for the comfort of others (but to their own detriment).

It means compassion and kindness towards all humans. It means encouraging joy in its various forms.

• You are welcome and to stim in-session (e.g., rocking, hand-flapping, playing with objects)

• You are welcome to share your passions and interests

• You are welcome to present naturally and authentically (e.g., comfortable facial expressions and body language, clothing)

• You are welcome to share your pets/plants with me (e.g., cats, dogs, tarantulas, isopods, succulents)

• You are welcome to let me know what is helpful and unhelpful (e.g., if you want me to listen, if you would like suggestions, if you had questions)

• You are welcome to express emotions without judgment

• You are welcome to let me know what you feel, or if you do not know what you feel (e.g., let me know if you're overwhelmed and need a break)

• You are welcome to ask for clarification on our interactions together (e.g., , if you had confusion about what I meant by a comment or intended to communicate)

• You are welcome to let me know if you need more time to think or process

• You are welcome to unmask, and learn to unmask in a safe, supportive space

I have lived experience as a neurodivergent therapist, and human, which means that I approach neurodiversity from both firsthand knowledge and from experience/training as a professional.

I'm here to support you wholeheartedly and with unconditional compassion. Whether you are someone who has been aware of being autistic since childhood, were late-diagnosed, self-diagnosed/identified, have autistic traits, or suspect you are autistic, I am happy to be there for you.

My approach to working with autistic folks is based on radical acceptance of our unique, innate traits, and doing what is within our control to meet our needs, expressing ourselves authentically in safer spaces, and deeply understanding ourselves to feel less distress and more compassion and joy.

I strongly believe in the value of both lived, and professional, experience in supporting autistic adults, and I am committed to life-long learning both personally and professionally to best support you.

So many ADHD adults are incredibly creative, caring, driven, and have a wide variety of strengths, and at the same time, I often hear immense pain in clients feeling unable to meet their potential, trying very hard to reach their dreams, feeling ashamed and “not enough,” easily overwhelmed and overstimulated, and struggling with past experiences of rejection and loss. It can be incredibly confusing to hold many strengths, and have learned so many skills, and still have the sense that everything shouldn’t be this hard.

My approach to working with ADHD is similar to that of Autistic/AuDHD folks in that I affirm ADHD as an innate neurotype, just a different type of brain that is not in need of fixing, but rather may benefit from deep understanding and support. The most common, well-meaning advice may be helpful for many people, but may not be helpful for your brain and your needs.

Whether you are someone who has been aware of being ADHD since childhood, were late-diagnosed, self-diagnosed/identified, or suspect being ADHD, or are AuDHD (Autistic + ADHD), I'm here to help support you to navigate challenges that may come with ADHD.

Common Challenges with ADHD:

-Organization/Planning

-Emotion Regulation

-Rejection Sensitivity, or Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

-Relationships and Friendships

-Low Self-Esteem

-Work Stress

-Task Initiation and Completion

-Concentration and Attention

AuDHD is a term that is commonly used for those who are autistic and have ADHD, which can come with unique complexities and concerns. Some people find this validating and helpful as a term.

Identity-first language for Autism and ADHD embraces neurodivergence as core to who someone is, based on the belief that being Autistic or ADHD, for instance, is who you are rather than something you have. I use identity-first language for myself and within my practice to refer to Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD identities, and at the same time, respect the language you choose to use referring to yourself.

Example of Identity-First Language: I’m an Autistic woman.

Websites:

• Neurodivergent Insights: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/

• Embrace Autism: https://embrace-autism.com/

• Autistic Advocacy: https://autisticadvocacy.org/

• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity: https://aane.org/

• Theory of Autism by Autistic People (Monotropism): https://monotropism.org/

• Trauma Geek: https://www.traumageek.com/

• ADDitude: https://www.additudemag.com/

• The ADHD Toolkit: https://www.theadhdtoolkit.com/

• The TLC Foundation for BFRBs: https://www.bfrb.org/

Books:

• Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg

• Neurotribes by Steve Silberman

• Different, Not Less by Chloé Hayden

• Neuroqueer Heresies by Nick Walker

• We're All Neurodiverse by Sonny Jane Wise

• How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe

• Unmasking Autism by Devon Price

• How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis

Youtube:

• How to ADHD

• Mom on the Spectrum

• Autism from the Inside

• Crappy Childhood Fairy

• Chloé Hayden's Youtube Channel (AuDHD)