Are you seeing a Neurodiversity Affirming Counselor?

Here are three green flags to look for.

Neurodiversity. Neurodivergent. Neurodiverse. *Neurospicy*

Neurodiversity has recently become a buzzword in the mental health world. This has created some issue for folks trying to find a therapist that will open to their suspicions about being Autistic (or ADHD, BPD, OCD, etc) and investigate with you curiously, rather than write you off. Unfortunately, many professions in the mental health field have not received affirming training for the diagnosis of Autism or other neurodivergent mental health experiences.

In the following blog, I will use examples of Autistic experiences - this is my lived experience and my expertise as a counselor. It is important to recognize that neurodiversity is not just Autism and ADHD - there are many forms of neurodivergence.

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First, What is neurodiversity?

According to Nick Walker of neuroqueer.com, Neurodiversity is “the diversity of human minds, the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.” In the context of mental health counseling - we utilize the neurodiversity paradigm, or an approach utilizing and centering neurodiversity as a biological fact. The ND Paradigm poses that neurodiversity is a natural occurrence in humanity - and that there is not one “correct” or “right” form of neurological existence.

Neurodivergent (ND) is a person whose brain functions differently or is viewed as flawed or pathologized by the neurocognitive norm.

Neurodiverse means a group of people with different neurological operating systems. A singular person cannot be neurodiverse, only a group.

Green Flag 1: Acknowledgement of Intersectionality and Privilege within the counseling relationship.

A neurodivergent affirming (NDA) therapist directly acknowledges and practices from a place of being informed on intersectionality and privilege. If your therapist does not identify with neurodivergence - it is important that you as a ND person can trust that this person is willingly and open to believing and validating your lived experience. Ideally, a neurodiversity affirming therapist works to decolonize their therapy practice, understand their privilege, and continually evolve in their knowledge of and stand against oppression.

Green Flag 2: Listening to and valuing the lived experience of neurodivergent people.

In a neurodiversity affirming psychotherapeutic paradigm, the lived experience of neurodivergent people must be emphasized and believed. One of the most tangible examples of lived experience shows up in the support of ABA therapy for Autistic children. ABA therapy is considered the “gold standard” of care in mainstream medical and psychological care and is considered to be “evidence based practice”.

However, a large majority of Autistic Adults and other disability advocates have spoken up about the trauma ABA has caused them, the history of ABA being a conversion therapy for Autistic humans. Another version of listening to Autistic people is the preference in language. “Person with Autism” (person first language) vs “Autistic” (identity first language) gets hotly contested in conversations in educational, disability, and parenting spaces. It is important that a neurodiversity affirming counselor ask their client what their label preference is. It is also widely suggested from Autistic adults who advocate for autonomy that at this time using identity first language is the standard of neurodiversity.

Green Flag 3: The understand the barriers to diagnosis and do not shame “self diagnosis”.

In contrast, if your therapist is rolling their eyes and making snide comments about “tiktok diagnosis”, I would personally consider it a massive red flag. Diagnosis is not pie, we’re not going to run out of it the more people realize they may be neurodivergent. Gatekeeping the processes of diagnosis is one of the major problems facing neurodivergent people who need access to accommodations and disability assistance. Many of us exist on the “self diagnosed” side of neurodivergence because a professional opinion is not only expensive (imagine paying thousands to someone who thinks Autism only presents in 4 year old cisgender caucasian boys) but it can also be a risk for those who may eventually face stigma from medical, local, and legal systems. It is important your clinician trusts you to know yourself and can simultaneously provide quality education about neurodivergence.

Are you looking for a neurodiversity affirming therapist in Texas? Jaci provides virtual counseling to ages 16+ neurodivergent & queer folks. Contact her here!