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Neurodiversity
Originally used by the autistic community who were keen to move away from the medical model of autism, neurodiversity has become a term to describe a wider range of neurodiverse conditions and groups. The term has become more widely used by neurodivergent individuals as a means of empowerment, as well as to help promote the positive qualities neurodiverse people possess.
Neurodiversity highlights that neurodiverse individuals' brains work in a different way. That doesn’t mean that how they think or process things are ‘wrong’ - it’s just different.
An estimated one in seven people in the UK are thought to have neurodevelopmental differences. This means the way that their brains learn, function and process information is different from neurotypical people.
Autistic spectrum
Around 1-2% of the population in the UK is thought to be on the spectrum. Autism is a developmental disability that affects how someone perceives the world. Autistic people may have difficulties with communication and sensory sensitivity. They may exhibit repetitive behaviours or have highly-focused interests. It’s important to remember that autism is a spectrum, and each person may or may not exhibit ‘common autistic traits’.
ADHD
Affecting around 3-5% of children and 2% of adults in the UK, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that typically affects someone’s ability to concentrate. This can show in the following ways: inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Dyslexia
Nearly 10% of the UK are dyslexic. Considered to be a learning difficulty, those with dyslexia primarily experience challenges with reading, spelling, and writing. They may also have trouble with spoken language, sequencing, motor skills, organisation, or memory.
Dyspraxia
It is thought that around 10% of the UK is affected by dyspraxia. Affecting movement and coordination, someone with dyspraxia may have difficulty maintaining balance, playing sports, or learning to drive a car.
Dyscalculia
Affecting one's ability to understand and carry out basic maths processes, around one in 20 people in the UK have dyscalculia.
Tourette's syndrome
A neurological condition that involves repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalisations (referred to as ‘tics’), Tourette’s syndrome affects around one in 100 children. Tics can vary in complexity and presentation. They can range from vocal tics such as screaming, coughing, or swearing, to physical tics such as jerking, blinking, or shaking.
Dyscalculia
Affecting one's ability to understand and carry out basic maths processes, around one in 20 people in the UK have dyscalculia.
Therapeutic support
Working with a therapist/practitioner who has experience or additional, specific training in working with neurodiversity can be beneficial. Our therapists and practitioners have experience working with those with neurodiverse traits. Together, you can ensure that your therapy sessions are tailored to best meet your needs if any accommodations are required (such as dimming lights, using fidget objects, or reducing background noise, length of sessions where possible).
Your therapist is there to support you with other challenges faced, such as depression, anxiety, or managing stress levels. They may be able to offer help introducing you to coping strategies, or with identifying areas that you may not realise are causing you distress. However, neurodiverse conditions are differences in how our brains work. We can’t ‘cure’ or ‘fix’ them. The aim of therapy/support is to provide you with a safe space where you can open up and talk without fear of judgement.
Neurodiversity-affirming therapy/support focuses on individual strengths and unique abilities, this therapeutic approach helps individuals to tap into and recognise their positive attributes and work towards meeting personal goals. Supporting individuals in learning self-advocacy skills to allow them to create opportunities to thrive, your therapist can help you to discover alternatives to masking and trying to fit neurotypical norms that may be negatively impacting your self-worth, overall sense of well-being, or mental health.