You may be wondering, how would therapy work for someone who identifies as neurodivergent? As a neurdivergent therapist myself, I understand the concerns you may have around attending therapy. I first want to explain how to work with neurodivergence before describing my approach.

Neurodivergence is a term that encompasses a range of differences in brain functioning and behavior including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other cognitive variations. While traditional therapeutic approaches often assume a “typical” way of thinking and processing emotions, therapy for neurodivergent clients requires a tailored, empathetic approach to meet their unique needs.

What Stays the Same: Core Therapeutic Principles

While there are key differences in approach, the foundational principles of therapy remain consistent:

• Empathy and Unconditional Positive Regard: Neurodivergent clients, like all clients, thrive when they feel seen, heard, and validated.
• Building Trust: Establishing a safe and trusting relationship is essential for effective therapy.
• Client-Centered Approach: Therapy should always prioritize the client’s goals and values, ensuring the process is collaborative and empowering.

Therapy for neurodivergent clients is most effective when it’s rooted in understanding, flexibility, and a commitment to honoring each client’s unique experience. By adopting a neurodiversity-affirming approach, therapists can empower clients to embrace their differences and build fulfilling lives on their terms.

If you find yourself confused by social interactions, you aren’t alone. Autistic individuals experience social interactions differently to the neurotypical people around them. This can sometimes make building relationships more difficult and lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation. Although fitting in can be hard at times, there are things we can do to make it easier and surround ourselves with people we enjoy.

Here are a few tips that could help you build important relationships:

• Practice some small talk to such as “How are you?” or “How was your week?” to reduce anxiety around meeting people. They can act as you go-to scripts to help when you’re not sure what to say. Topics can include the weather, favourite TV shows, or music.
• Decide to go to a public space where you are comfortable. You can gradually change this up making sure you don’t feel overwhelmed. Doing so can put you in a space of opportunity for discussion.
• Work on managing social anxiety through self-help resources or therapy. This will help you get to a position where socialising is more manageable.
• Discover services or events for Autistic people such as support groups, online platforms, or other projects. Even skill-based events such as cooking classes can help put you in the right position for getting to know people.
• Reach out to the people around you. Sometimes, as Autistic people we assume that nobody wants to know us. Trust me, I felt that, but reaching out to someone around you either at work, university or to family can help grow connections.
• Focus on the person. Reading how someone is feeling can be hard so ask them directly. If they seem to disconnect (looking around the room, giving short answers, not asking questions back) then that may be a cue to disengage.
  

These tips can help you get started but I’d advise you to do your own research and find out what works best for you. Remember that every Autistic person's experience is different so what works for one person might not work for another. Find your sweet spot and be unapologetically yourself. That's the best way to foster healthy relationships.

People with Autism may struggle with an experience called interoception. This is our ability to sense what is going on inside our body, specifically our organs. Each of our organs send out through the Vagus Nerve to the Insula which organises these signals into emotions. People with Autism can have fewer connections between these different ports of the brain which leads to us feeling disconnected from our body.

Here is an exercise you can try: Close your eyes and raise your arm. Once it is raised above your head, keep it there for a moment before bringing it back down. Now that it is in front of you, put your thumb up. You just experienced interoception within our body by activating different parts of your system (muscles, joints, etc.)

In rare cases, Autistic people may not be able to hold the spacial awareness to understand where their body is in space. If you have heard of ‘flat affect’, it is a term used to describe a lack of facial expression or a monotonous voice seen in Autistic individuals due to the disconnect between brain and body. Another example is in how those of us with Autism don’t comprehend that an exclamation mark represent a heightened reaction in text. These are all situations in which we require an awareness of our internal system to organise our feelings in response to the world around us.

Don’t start to panic if you do struggle with interoception. There are ways in which you can build upon and improve your brain-body connection. You can try:

• Practicing facial expression in the mirror
• Moving your face with your fingers to make different expressions. Pulling the corners of your lips up into a smile can activate a brain response and you might feel happy or elated.
• Imitate other people. Try copying the voice or facial expressions of your favourite character.
• Activate your senses and pay attention to what you are feeling. Hold an ice cube or a warm towel and notice how it reacts with your skin. What do you feel as you do this?

Here are only a few of the many exercises you can do to improve interoception. Remember, you are more than how you interact with the outside world. This is just something we experience differently to most people around us.

4. Cognition and Focus: Thinking Outside the Box

Neurodivergent people often experience cognition and focus in ways that differ from the norm. For individuals with ADHD, the brain might race from one idea to another, leading to what might appear as scattered thoughts. However, this fast-paced thinking can also result in the ability to see connections that others might miss and to generate creative solutions to complex problems.

On the other hand, some neurodivergent individuals might hyperfocus on specific interests or tasks, diving deeply into subjects they are passionate about. This intense focus can lead to extraordinary achievements and a level of expertise that is truly remarkable.

These unique cognitive patterns challenge the conventional understanding of productivity and intelligence, showing that there are many ways to approach problems and tasks—each with its own strengths.

5. Routine and Change: Finding Comfort in the Familiar

Many neurodivergent individuals find comfort in routines and predictability. For some, like those on the autism spectrum, changes in routine can be distressing, leading to anxiety and discomfort. A structured environment allows for a sense of control and safety in a world that can otherwise feel chaotic and unpredictable.

This preference for routine doesn’t mean that neurodivergent people are rigid or inflexible; rather, it highlights the importance of consistency and stability in their lives. Understanding this need can lead to creating environments that are supportive and accommodating, allowing neurodivergent individuals to thrive.

On the flip side, some neurodivergent people, such as those with ADHD, might crave novelty and struggle with routine. This difference underscores the diverse ways neurodivergent brains operate, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life.

Photo by Pier Monzon

6. Creativity and Innovation: A Different Lens on the World

Many neurodivergent individuals possess a remarkable capacity for creativity and innovation. The ability to see the world through a different lens often leads to groundbreaking ideas, whether in the arts, sciences, technology, or other fields. History is replete with examples of neurodivergent thinkers who have made significant contributions to society, from artists like Vincent van Gogh to inventors like Nikola Tesla.

The neurodivergent mind often questions assumptions, challenges norms, and explores ideas that others might overlook. This creativity is not just a byproduct of neurodivergence—it is often a direct result of it. By embracing neurodivergent perspectives, society can benefit from the diverse ways of thinking and problem-solving that these individuals bring to the table.

Conclusion: Embracing Neurodiversity

Neurodivergent individuals experience the world in ways that are as diverse as they are unique. Their perspectives challenge the norms of what is considered “typical” and offer valuable insights into the richness of human experience. By understanding and embracing neurodivergence, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society, one that values different ways of thinking and being.

Neurodiversity is not something to be “fixed” or “cured”—it is a natural and vital part of the human experience. By celebrating neurodivergent minds, we open ourselves up to a broader and more inclusive understanding of what it means to be human, enriching our world with the diversity of thought, experience, and creativity that neurodivergent individuals bring.

In recent years, the term “neurodivergence” has gained more recognition as society begins to understand and appreciate the diversity of human minds. Neurodivergence refers to the natural variation in how people's brains function, encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. For neurodivergent individuals, the world is often experienced in ways that differ significantly from the neurotypical perspective. This difference, however, is not a deficit but a unique lens through which to view the world. In this blog, we'll explore how neurodivergent people experience the world and why it’s essential to embrace these differences.

1. Sensory Perception: A Heightened Reality

One of the most profound ways neurodivergent individuals experience the world is through sensory perception. Many neurodivergent people have heightened or altered sensory experiences. For instance, someone with autism might find certain sounds unbearably loud or certain textures overwhelmingly uncomfortable, while others might find deep comfort in repetitive sounds or particular patterns.

This sensitivity can make everyday environments, such as a crowded shopping mall or a bright, noisy classroom, feel overwhelming. However, it also means that neurodivergent individuals might notice details that others miss—like the subtle change in lighting in a room or the intricate pattern on a leaf. This heightened awareness can lead to a deeper connection with certain aspects of the world, even as it presents challenges in others.

Photo by Johann Walter Bantz

2. Communication: Speaking a Different Language

Communication can also be experienced differently by neurodivergent people. For those on the autism spectrum, verbal communication might not come as naturally, leading to a preference for nonverbal methods such as writing, art, or even the use of assistive technology. This doesn’t mean that neurodivergent individuals lack the desire to communicate; rather, they might have different ways of expressing themselves or interpreting the communications of others.

For people with ADHD, the challenge might lie in maintaining focus during conversations or organizing thoughts in a way that others can easily follow. This can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, but it can also result in conversations that are full of creativity and unexpected insights.

In neurodivergent communication, there is often a directness and honesty that can be refreshing, as well as a capacity for deep and meaningful connection when communication styles are respected and understood.

3. Social Interaction: A Different Social Compass

Social interactions are another area where neurodivergent experiences can differ. Social norms, which neurotypical individuals often navigate instinctively, might feel confusing or even illogical to neurodivergent people. For example, the unspoken rules of small talk, eye contact, or body language can be difficult to interpret or prioritize.

However, many neurodivergent people value honesty and directness in social interactions, which can lead to more authentic and meaningful relationships. The pressure to conform to neurotypical social expectations can be exhausting, but when given the space to interact in ways that feel natural, neurodivergent individuals often form deep connections based on mutual respect and understanding.

In a world that often emphasizes conformity, the neurodivergent approach to social interaction reminds us of the importance of embracing different ways of relating to one another.