What is Neurodiversity and how does Neurodiversity Affirming Practices interact with the counselling process?
KIMBERLY YAMADA, MCP, RCC (PENDING), VITALITY COLLECTIVE
VANCOUVER THERAPIST
To Start: Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity, coined by sociologist Judy Singer, refers to the “limitless variability of human nervous systems on the planet”. Much like biodiversity in nature, which understands the multitude of varying species and organisms in our world, neurodiversity recognizes that people have different brains. A butterfly is not an evergreen tree, just like my brain is not yours. Neurodiversity captures all humans - we are all different and that is not a bad thing.
Neurodiversity was developed to not only capture the diversity of humans but also to advocate. The intent of the neurodiversity paradigm is to shift from a deficit and pathologizing perspective of brain differences to one that recognizes all humans are worthy and deserving of care. Both a butterfly and an evergreen tree are a celebrated and respected parts of our world, despite their vast differences and needs. This kind of celebratory world, without socially constructed hierarchies that other and oppress those who deviate from the norm, is what the neurodiversity paradigm hopes to achieve. There is no right or wrong way to be in a neurodiverse world and what we understand as “normal” is socially constructed. Neurodiversity hopes to honour and celebrate humans as they are and allow them to live freely, without the need for a cure or fix due to their differences.
What is neurodivergence?
In a neurodiverse world, there exists neurodivergence*. Neurodivergence is a term coined by autistic advocate Kassiane Asasumasu to describe brains that diverge from dominant social constructions of “normal” (aka what society considers to be the norm).
Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that captures the vast number of ways a brain can diverge in functioning, from processing to communication to cognition (and more!). Autism, ADHD, depression, bipolar, OCD, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and more all fall under the neurodivergent umbrella. Neurodivergence can be both genetic, something you are born with, or acquired. For example, someone born with dyslexia is neurodivergent, as is someone who has survived a stroke or developed dementia later in life. Simply put, in Asasumasu’s own terms, neurodivergence refers to “neurologically different from typical” and is “specifically a tool of inclusion”.
*While neurodiversity encompasses neurodivergence, the two terms are not interchangeable. Diversity refers to a group where there exist differences, while neurodivergence describes an individual’s experience of being outside the socially constructed norm. Individuals cannot be neurodiverse, just as individuals cannot be diverse in other social identities. However, individuals can have multiple neurodivergence, where they diverge from the norm in multiple ways (for example, an Autistic person with BPD).
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
Neurodiversity-affirming practice is just what it sounds like - a practice model for working with neurodiversity, in a way that affirms and empowers neurodivergence, rather than looking for a cure or fix. Historically, psychology has been grounded in a pathology paradigm, which sees neurodivergence as a problem within the individual to be solved or brought to “normal”. This contributes to the oppression and othering of neurodivergent people as lesser. Instead, neurodiversity-affirming practice is grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm, which rejects the idea of a “normal” or a “correct” way of being and centers lived experience.
Grounded in these ideas, neurodiversity-affirming practice creates space for neurodiversity and neurodivergence to meet people where they are at. Coming from a place of humility, neurodiversity-affirming practice aims to understand a person’s experience of neurodivergence and use this wisdom to guide how a client is supported. Neurodiversity-affirming practice should not ignore the struggles of living in a world that often disables neurodivergent individuals but instead offer individualized support to overcome barriers and, ultimately, liberate folks from neuronormativity.
Sonny Jane, a neurodivergent activist and educator, created some principles for a neurodiversity-affirming practice. These include intersectionality, respecting autonomy, presuming competence, validating differences, rejecting neuronormativity, reframing expectations, promoting self-advocacy, adapting systems and environments, and honouring all forms of communication. An important principle to note (though they are all important!) is “adapting systems and environments”. This recognizes that a neurodivergent individual is disabled by their environment and dysfunction is often relational, rather than a problem with the person due to neurodivergence. Neurodiversity-affirming practice is about changing the environment to fit the person, rather than fitting the person into the environment! Seeing the source of distress as external empowers a person to work with their differences and find ways to make society fit to them.
For a deeper dive into each neurodiversity-affirming principle, see Sonny’s post guide here: https://livedexperienceeducator.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice.
Finding a Neurodiversity-Affirming Counsellor
If neurodiversity-affirming practice resonates with you, here are some tips to finding a counsellor that is grounded in these empowering, liberating principles.
Look for a therapist with keywords in their bio, such as “neurodivergence” or “neurodiversity-affirming care”
Find a counsellor with a collaborative approach who values lived experience
Explore a counsellor’s theoretical orientation and reflect on how that might fit your individual needs and values (and how does neurodivergence fit into that model?)
Ask your counsellor direct questions!
What does neurodiversity-affirming practice mean to you?
How do you accommodate sensory needs?
What communication accessibility accommodations do you offer? (For example, if you are non-verbal, how can a counsellor work with you and honour your chosen form of communication?)
How do you divest from pathologizing perspectives in your work?
When finding a neurodiversity-affirming counsellor, your voice and values are important! Do not be afraid to speak up for what is important to you and ask your counsellor for accommodations. Neurodiversity-affirming practice creates space for your needs and it is okay for you to take up that space.