Embracing Neurodiversity: How Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy is Distinctly Different from ABA
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy is different from ABA because it is not about teaching neurodivergent people to conform to societal norms. This approach to therapy recognizes and respects the diversity of human brains, behaviors, and neurotypes. It rejects the idea that there is a correct way to think and act.
The Aims and Harms of ABA Therapy: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy often aims to modify behaviors to align with societal expectations, which can be harmful to neurodivergent people. Here are a few reasons why ABA can cause harm:
Focus on Compliance: ABA often emphasizes compliance over understanding and autonomy. This undermines an individual's sense of self, agency, and strengths.
Emotional Harm: The techniques used in ABA, such as repetitive drills and rewards/punishments, can cause distress and in some cases, trauma.
Ignoring Individual Needs: ABA typically focuses on changing outward behaviors without considering the underlying needs and experiences of the neurodivergent person, and their values.
Therapy for neurodivergent women can offer a variety of benefits and supports. Here’s what you might expect:
Education on Neurodiversity and Specific Diagnoses: Therapy can provide valuable information about neurodiversity and specific diagnoses such as Autism or ADHD. Understanding these conditions can help individuals and their loved ones recognize that neurodivergent traits are part of natural human variation, not deficiencies. There is a focus on each person being the expert of their own experience, and already having the tools inside of them that they need to flourish.
Processing Diagnoses and Coping with Stigma: Therapy can help neurodivergent women process their diagnoses and deal with any associated stigma. This could include exploring personal feelings about the diagnosis, how this affects relationships with family members and friendships, learning to navigate social misconceptions, and advocating for necessary accommodations in different settings.
Building Self-Advocacy, Boundary-Setting, and Coping Skills: Therapy often focuses on developing important skills like self-advocacy, setting healthy boundaries, and coping with various challenges. Techniques might include mindfulness, building self-advocacy skills, emotional well-being, breathing exercises, self-regulation strategies, and distress tolerance methods. These skills empower neurodivergent people to manage their emotions and interactions more effectively.
Navigating Relationships: Therapy can assist in managing relationships with family, friends, and partners. It can help neurodivergent individuals understand and express their needs for personal space and rest, establish boundaries, and communicate effectively to maintain healthy relationships.
Addressing Work and School Challenges: Therapy can provide strategies to handle challenges in work and school environments. This might include preventing burnout, leveraging personal strengths, advocating for accommodations, and finding a balance that supports mental health and productivity.
Managing Chronic Illness or Pain: For neurodivergent women dealing with chronic illness or chronic pain, neurodivergent-affirming therapy can offer support, along with strategies to manage these conditions. This might involve pain management somatic techniques, learning the art of pacing to prevent overexertion and needing to “rot”, and emotional support to cope with ongoing challenges of dealing with chronic illness or pain.
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Identities: Neurodivergent-affirming therapy can also support women who identify as LGBTQIA+, helping them navigate issues related to both their neurodiversity and their gender or sexual identity. This inclusive approach ensures that all aspects of a person's identity are respected and affirmed.
Although I cannot provide a formal diagnosis for Autism or ADHD due to the scope of my license (a psychologist or psychiatrist is the appropriate professional for this type of testing), I strive to offer an affirming and safe space where people with ADHD and Autism can learn coping skills, gain education, and process issues related to their neurodivergent identity. Therapy for neurodivergent women is personalized and tailored to meet unique need of the individual, fostering an environment where it is possible to thrive in a way that feels true to your values.