What does it mean to be Neurodiversity Affirming?

The term neurodiversity was labeled as such by an Australian sociologist named Judy Singer. Neurodiversity means that there is a diversity in the way all humans think, act and view the world around them. Neurodivergent refers to an individual that has a diverging way of thinking and interacting with the world, it diverges because it is different than the “norm.” In other words, we are neurodiverse as people but only a single person can be neurodivergent. As a neurodiversity affirming clinician I celebrate all the ways of being human whether one is neurotypical or neurodivergent. I don’t value one way of being over another. I also don’t expect neurodivergent individuals to change their way of being to fit into a neurotypical or neuronormative world. I see many strengths in being neurodivergent and I don’t believe that being neurodivergent in and of itself requires “fixing” or “correcting.” I also understand that being neurodivergent can be disabling and as such I honor the lived experience of each individual. I hold space for both the negative and positive experiences of being neurodivergent, I presume competence and help each client works towards their own goals in making their lives better.