Neurodiversity

Understanding Neurodiversity

What Is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the idea that people’s brains naturally differ in how they think, learn, communicate, process information, experience emotions, and interact with the world.

Neurodivergence is a term often used for people whose neurological functioning differs from what is considered typical or "neurotypical." It can include experiences associated with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, and other forms of neurological difference.

Neurodiversity does not mean that a person cannot experience genuine challenges. It recognizes that differences can come with both strengths and difficulties, and that the environment around a person can significantly affect how those differences are experienced.

A young woman with curly hair and medium skin, wearing a pink shirt, touching her forehead with her fingers, against a purple background. Her hair is styled with various colorful plastic toys and objects, including a green lid, a yellow spoon, a carrot, and a straws, arranged on her head.

Why Might You Want to Discuss Neurodiversity in Therapy?

You may want to explore neurodiversity in therapy if you:

  • Wonder whether you may be neurodivergent

  • Have recently received an ADHD or autism diagnosis

  • Are exploring a possible diagnosis

  • Feel different from people around you

  • Struggle with sensory sensitivity or overstimulation

  • Experience difficulty with executive functioning, organization, or time management

  • Have difficulty understanding or navigating social situations

  • Experience emotional regulation challenges

  • Feel exhausted from trying to "fit in" or appear neurotypical

  • Have experienced shame or criticism because of the way you think or behave

  • Are struggling with school, work, relationships, or daily responsibilities

  • Want to better understand your strengths and challenges

  • Are adjusting to a new understanding of yourself after diagnosis

Therapy can provide a space to explore these experiences without judgment or pressure to change who you are.

What Is Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy (NAT)?

Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy (NAT) is an approach that recognizes neurological differences as part of normal human diversity rather than automatically viewing them as something that needs to be "fixed."

Instead of focusing only on "How do we make you behave more typically?", an affirming approach may ask:

"What is making life difficult for you, what supports do you need, and how can we help you function in a way that works for you?"

This doesn't mean ignoring areas where someone is struggling. Rather, therapy focuses on helping the individual develop skills and strategies while respecting their neurological differences, identity, preferences, and needs.

How Can Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy Help?

Increase self-understanding
You can learn more about how your brain processes information, emotions, sensory experiences, communication, and relationships.

Reduce shame and self-blame
Understanding neurodivergence can help replace "What's wrong with me?" with "Why does this environment or situation create difficulty for me, and what support would help?"

Develop practical strategies
Therapy can help with executive functioning, organization, routines, emotional regulation, communication, relationships, and managing overwhelming environments.

Understand sensory needs
You can identify sensory triggers and develop strategies for managing noise, lights, crowds, textures, or other sources of overstimulation.

Navigate relationships
Therapy can help you communicate your needs, establish boundaries, understand differences in communication styles, and build healthier relationships.

Address masking and burnout
Some neurodivergent people spend significant energy trying to hide or suppress natural behaviors in order to fit social expectations. Therapy can help explore the impact of masking and identify more sustainable ways of functioning.

Build on strengths
Therapy can help identify interests, abilities, creativity, problem-solving skills, attention patterns, or other strengths and learn how to use them effectively.

Adjust to diagnosis or self-discovery
Receiving a diagnosis—or beginning to understand yourself through a neurodivergent lens—can bring relief, grief, confusion, or many other emotions. Therapy can provide support during that process.

The Goal of Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

The goal isn't to make you "less neurodivergent."

The goal is to help you better understand yourself, reduce unnecessary distress, develop effective strategies, advocate for your needs, and create a life that works with your brain rather than constantly against it.