Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
CoRe Kids Therapy identifies as a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy Clinic. This means that we work with and accept all brain types. We recognise that each child, and parent, that comes into our practice is unique and may have their own way of interacting with and experiencing the world. We focus on the goals and needs of an individual, not on socio/cultural norms or expectations.
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is the recognition that not all brains are made the same. While many people do process information and experience the world in similar ways there is also a large amount of our population that are neurodivergent. Neurodivergent brains will often experience the world differently. Neither type of brain is right nor wrong, just different.
Some recognised Neurodivergent types include Autism spectrum disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
History of Therapy for Neurodivergents
In the past, and sometimes still in the present, therapy practices might work with the neurodivergent on how to make their brain work more like a neurotypical brain. They might have focused on forcing actions such as making eye contact, insisting on following what were seen as expected social norms and even suppressing behaviours and interests that made a neurodivergent feel comfortable and safe. All this was an aim to fit a round peg in a square hole and to change the neurodivergent so they fit in or blended in with neurotypicals, at the expense of their own social, emotional, and psychological well-being.
What changed?
The therapeutic world has begun to listen more to the voices of neurodivergent. We are beginning to value the uniqueness and strengths of individuals. We have also become more accepting of the social model of disability. This is a framework that points out that the neurodivergent may sometimes struggle, but they are struggling in an environment that has been set up for neurotypicals, with no consideration of their own needs. It is the environment, both physical and social, that puts up barriers and challenges for people who are neurodivergent, not the neurodivergent brain itself.
Where are we now? What does it mean that CoRe Kids is a Neurodiverse Affirming Practice?
With all our clients, including our neurodiverse clients, CoRe Kids takes a child-led approach. This means that we focus on the voice of the child within our therapeutic interventions. We listen to the kids we work with and the goals that they feel are important, which leaves them with self-determination within the therapy process.
- We avoid interventions that value compliance.
- We advocate psychoeducation and for the child to learn more about their neurodiversity and how their individual brain works.
- We promote self-identity development and advocacy.
- We listen to the voices and ideas of neurodiverse people in relation to our work.
- We have a focus on strength-based approaches, identifying all of the strengths our clients bring to therapy and utilising them to assist clients to meet their goals.
We believe in a world where neurodiversity is celebrated and accommodated. Being neurodiverse and affirming in all things that we do is important to us. We cannot guarantee we will get it right all the time, but we are always ready to listen and act on feedback and advice.
If you have a neurodiverse child who would benefit from exploring their neurotype, play therapy can help. Please contact CoRe Kids on 0401517014 for a free 15 minute private consultation to answer any questions you have on how Play Therapy may work for your child and your family.
References
Holliday, R. Neurodiverse Affirming Occupational Therapy Practice Framework… Starting the conversation. Available URL: https://otaus.com.au/getassets/c2b65368-cc3e-ed11-9474-005056be13b5/AUG%202022%20-%20Neurodivergent%20presentation.pdf
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. (2023). Available URL: https://therapistndc.org/