What is neurodiversity affirming practice and how can it support your child/ren.
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. A worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological difference. Depending on how our brains are wired, we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference. Originally coined by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in the 1990s, in recent years, the neurodiversity movement has become increasingly prominent.
Neurodiversity Terminology Exaplained
Neurodiversity is the umbrella term used to describe the natural diversity of human brains. Just like biodiversity explains the variety of plant life, neurodiversity explains the variety of human minds.
Neurodivergent refers to a person whose brain differs from the statistical norm and diverges from what society deems typical. This can include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia just to name a few.
Neurotypical refers to a person whose brain does not differ from the statistical norm, and falls within what society deems typical or more common.
Neurodiverse refers to a group of people with different types of brain. This group can include a mix of neurodivergent and neurotypical brains.
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
Neurodiversity affirming practice is an approach that supports the neurological diversity of individuals and seeks to create an inclusive and accepting environment for all individuals, regardless of their neurodivergent traits or diagnoses. Instead of labelling people with deficits or disorders, we take a person-centred approach of an individual’s unique strengths and challenges. Furthermore, we view these challenges through the social model of disability, which proposes that many of the challenges neurodivergent individuals face is due to the environment and systems they are placed in which are designed for the majority of people. A video that talks about this more can be found here.
Neurodiversity affirming practices aim to create an environment that values and accommodates different ways of learning, processing information, and interacting with the world. This may involve adjustments to communication styles, teaching methods, or environmental factors to better support individuals with different needs.
Examples of neurodiversity affirming practices may include providing sensory-friendly spaces, using visual aids to supplement spoken instructions, using positive and strengths-based language, allowing for breaks and accommodations during learning or work activities, and recognizing and valuing the contributions of all individuals in a group.
Overall, neuroaffirming practices aim to promote inclusion, acceptance, and respect for the neurological diversity of all individuals.
Neurodiversity Affirming Resources for Children/Adolescents
Books:
The Brain Forest by Sandy Menon
The Awesome Autistic Go-To Guide: A practical handbook for autistic teens and tweens by Yenn Purkis and Tanya Masterman
Just Right for You by Melanie Heyworth
The Superhero Brain by Christel Land
Some Brains by Nelly Thomas
Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden
Neurodiversity Affirming Resources for Adults
Books:
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the new faces of neurodiversity by Devon Price
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a world that wasn’t designed by you by Jenna Nerenberg
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from rewards and punishments to love and reason by Alfie Kohn
The Explosive Child by Ross Greene
Start Here: A guide for parents or autistic kids by autistic self-advocacy network
Podcasts:
The Yellow Ladbybugs Podcast
The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast by Monique Mitchelson and Michelle Livock