Neurodiversity
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the word to describe the beautiful variety of ways our brains work. As a human collective, we are neurodiverse. Those whose brains work in the ways that society expects them to can be described as neurotypical. Those whose brains work in ways that are outside of what is typically expected can be described as neurodivergent.
Neurodivergence can fall under a variety of different categories, depending on the differences involved. While we are all unique regardless of labels, these categories can help us understand ourselves and one another a little more, and figure out what our needs are.
All of the following can be considered forms of neurodivergence:
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Autism
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ADHD
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Dyslexia
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Dyscalculia
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Dysgraphia
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Dyspraxia
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​Sensory processing disorders
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Mental health conditions, including chronic anxiety and depression
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Acquired brain injuries
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Epilepsy
Neurodivergence can also fall outside of categories - we don't fit neatly into boxes.
And we all have unique brains; regardless of where you fall within neurodiversity, you will have your own ways of processing and existing within this world which don't entirely meet societal expectations.
Neuroaffirming practice
Lots of different brains means lots of different needs; from therapy, and for our lives in general. We can all fall into doing what is expected of us even when it doesn't suit our brains, then feel frustrated or ashamed when we are struggling. In therapy, I aim to help you identify when your brain needs to work in a different way from what is expected, and figure out how to honour that need while still perhaps having to manage conflicting expectations from others.
This starts in the therapy room; let's figure out what you need and how we can work with that, even if it's a bit different to what's usually expected. This could mean different session lengths, discussing emotions less or differently, more visual aids, less eye contact - the list goes on! These are just some ideas, but everybody is different, and I hope that together we can figure out what's right for you, as a unique individual within our neurodiverse collective.