Neurodiverse Affirming approach
A neurodivergent approach helps a neurodivergent person feel at ease and fosters their self-esteem.
A neurodiverse approach could involve helping someone feel comfortable by:
1. Adjusting a room’s lighting to suit a person who is negatively affected by the lights;
2. Allowing a person to avoid eye contact, when they find it uncomfortable to give it and/or
3. Providing a wobble stool or standing desk for someone who benefits from moving their body throughout the day.
A therapist such as an Occupational Therapist (O.T.) and/or Psychologist can help care providers understand a neurodiverse child’s needs. An O.T. can provide strategies to energise or soothe your child, for example. If you are planning to see a therapist and want the therapist to have a neurodiverse approach, check if the therapist is neurodiverse affirming.
Read more on Neurodiverse Affirming Approach from a psychology team- Your Mind Matters- and/or listen to more about it on Sound Cloud from Speech Pathology Australia, via the links below:
https://soundcloud.com/speechpathologyaustralia/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-s04-e41
To support neurodiversity in your workplace you could refer to this book:
Neurodiverse Workplace: An Employer’s Guide to Managing and Working with Neurodirgent Employees, clients and customers
References:
Nicky Trussler, Possum House, Talk at Porland, Victoria Library, September 2024
Super-You Therapy, Talk on Neurodiversity for Speech Pathology Australia- W.A. Branch, May 2023
Links listed in this written piece
Written by Jessica Bibby
Copyright 03 11 2024
