What does it mean to be neuroaffirming?
Neuroaffirming clinic, neuroaffirming practice, neuroaffirming treatment…I’m sure you’ve heard this word a million times during your search for speech therapy services. But what does it mean, and why is it everywhere?
In order to understand what it means to be neuroaffirming, we must first understand neurodiversity and the origins of the neurodiversity movement of the 90’s. According to Cleveland Clinic, “The term “neurodivergent” describes people whose brain differences affect how their brain works. That means they have different strengths and challenges from people whose brains don’t have those differences.” Essentially, those who are neurodivergent have a different wiring set up in their brains. Not better or worse, just different. We often think of Autism when we hear the word neurodiversity, but there are many other diagnoses that fall under the umbrella of “neurodiverse” including ADHD and Dyslexia.
In the early ages of the internet, those who identified as neurodiverse connected through forums and chatrooms. Inspired by ongoing disability rights movements, they argued that those who are neurodiverse should be viewed as having a difference rather than a deficit. The movement gained traction throughout the early 2000’s and beyond as diagnostics and education became better, increasing accurate diagnosis. As more and more information has become available about Autism, ADHD, etc. researchers began to realize that far more people (especially women and people of color) fall under the neurodiverse umbrella than previously thought. As the years went by, Autism and ADHD prevalence seemingly increased. This is because all of the people who didn’t quite meet the stereotype of Autism/ADHD slipping through the cracks, and finally getting proper diagnosis at 15, 20, 30, or even 50+ years old. Because so many people now have the information they needed all along, we are seeing more and more people seeking a variety of services. People who maybe don’t look like the picture society had in it’s head.
Because of better diagnostics, increasing diagnoses, and the improved education surrounding neurodiversity, many practices are becoming outdated. As we learn, we must grow in our practice, because what “worked” 100, 50, or even 10 years ago, might no longer apply in today’s world. Which leads to the discussion of Neuroaffirming practice.
Neuroaffirming practice, no matter the field of care, should be the gold standard. To be neuroaffirming means to evaluate, treat, and interact with those who are neurodiverse in the way that works best for THEM. Previously, treatment focused on eliminating behaviors deemed “deviant” from the “norm,” which we have now learned can cause lasting trauma on neurodiverse people. Examples of this include extinction of stimming behaviors (which act as regulation to the body), forced eye contact goals (which Autistic adults have stated can cause physical pain), and generally forcing them to conform to the societal ideals of “normal” (yuck, what even is normal). Instead of trying to fix a problem that isn’t a problem, neuroaffirming practices believe that we achieve much greater success with a variety of goals when we work with how their brains work, rather than trying to change them. The science is the science, and no amount of therapy can rewire the brain to not be neurodivergent. Instead we must provide the tools so that these differences don’t negatively impact the individual. I love to use the analogy of going with the flow instead of swimming upstream. Why would we spend time, money, and resources making neurodivergent people uncomfortable, when we can teach them how to use their differences as tools for success?
Neuroaffirming practice can mean a lot of things. It can mean having a sensory space where sensory seeking kiddos can explore and self-regulate. It can look like turning the lights down for the client who has aversion to bright lights, leading to meltdowns and the inability to focus. It can look like doing speech therapy while completing obstacle courses for the kid with ADHD who struggles to focus unless their bodies are moving. Neuroaffirming practice isn’t a singular thing. There is no one thing a clinic can do to label themselves as neuroaffirming. Instead, clinicians make the decision to be neuroaffirming. Once that decision is made, it’s impossible to go back. It’s truly amazing what the implementation of neuroaffirming practice can mean for the clients who shouldn’t have to change just to make others more comfortable.