Neuro-affirming practice

About the pathway

Welcome to the Neuro-affirming practice learning pathway. This pathway aims to increase understanding and application of neurodivergent-affirming practice approaches. It introduces key practice strategies to support your work with autistic and ADHDer children and their families.

Autism and ADHD are types of ‘neurodivergence’ – a term that describes brain functioning that differs from the current social and cultural norm (referred to as ‘neurotypical’). While traditionally named ‘disorders’, there is a shift towards viewing autism and ADHD as simply natural differences in neurocognitive functioning.

Neurodivergent-affirming practice is grounded in a person-centred and strengths-based approach, recognising autism and ADHD as ways of being in the world that are an integral aspect of a child’s identity.¹ It encourages therapeutic strategies that are focused on improving the child’s quality of life rather than ‘treating’ their neurodivergence.

This pathway has been created for health, community and social service professionals working with neurodivergent children and their families. It aims to help practitioners to understand and support autistic and ADHDer children’s mental health and broader wellbeing.

Please note: This learning pathway does not provide information or guidance on conducting autism and ADHD assessments.

Learning outcomes

This learning pathway will support you to:

strengthen your understanding of autism and ADHD and how neurotypical societies and systems impact neurodivergent children’s mental health
recognise your role in supporting autistic and ADHDer children and their families
increase your understanding and application of neurodivergent-affirming practice approaches
support families to understand and accept their children’s neurodivergence
help families to build the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves and others.

References

Chapman, R., & Botha, M. (2023). Neurodivergence-informed therapy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 65(3), 310–317. DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15384.

Courses

Understanding autistic and ADHDer children’s mental health

1.5 hours

This course introduces a neurodivergent-affirming approach to working with autistic and ADHDer children – one that is focused on accepting their differences, engaging their strengths and interests, and responding to their needs.

Practice strategies for supporting autistic and ADHDer children’s mental health

3 hours

This course introduces five strategies to support your work with autistic and ADHDer children and their families. It focuses on improving children and families’ quality of life by understanding, accommodating and advocating for their needs, rather than controlling or ‘treating’ the child’s neurodivergence.