Neurodivergent-Affirming Lens
Neurotypes are differences, not disorders. The Neurodiversity paradigm challenges negative beliefs and myths about neurodivergent folks and instead uses a strengths based and affirming lens.
About the Neurodiversity Paradigm
Neurodiversity is an umbrella word to describe a variety of neurotypes such as autism, adhd, dyslexia, ocd etc. The neurodiversity paradigm shift is also a social justice movement as many minorities such as those born female/genderqueer, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ make up the majority of the undiagnosed, oftentimes receiving multiple, and at times, wrong diagnoses before learning later in life of their neurotype. For those whose neurodiversity has been missed, sometimes for decades, a diagnosis can bring relief and undo years of shame and confusion about our identities. Many of these folks learn that they’ve been camouflaging and/or compensating to make up for what was believed to be “something wrong with them” or struggles with executive functioning, socializing, and differences from neurotypicals on both conscious and unconscious levels.
At ELTC we recognize the harm done to those whose natural neurotypes have been misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and stigmatized and treated as deficits rather than differences. . As a result, we we do not endorse or align with ABA methodology in any way. We stand rooted in models such as the social model of disability that understands it is an environment that disables natural differences in individuals, and there is nothing inherently wrong with different types of brains. We aim to learn better ways to identify these differences and provide therapies that support the goals of individuals who may not resonate in the same way that therapy has traditionally been conducted.
Further Reading
ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity