Neurodiversity ASD & ADHD
Neurodiversity is a term to describe how we all think and experience the world in different ways. There is no “right” or “wrong” way for someone’s brain to work. Recent years have seen an increase in people recognising that they are neurodivergent, which means that their brains work in different and diverse ways to most others. Receiving a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can really help us make sense of strengths, difficulties, and past experiences – but it can also raise more questions about what to do with this information. Our expert clinicians are skilled in supporting neurodivergent people of all ages and their families to build on their strengths and understand their needs so they can thrive.
Therapeutic support
At times, neurodivergent people may find some areas of life particularly difficult, such as friendships, school or mental health. Our therapeutic approach is adapted to each person’s diverse thinking style and situation, and can include helping clients with:
- Developing a positive sense of identity.
- Therapy for mental health difficulties such as anxiety or low mood.
- Understanding ‘masking’ of neurodivergent traits and its impact on wellbeing.
- Finding ways to navigate relationships, education and work.
- Exploring other parts of identity such as sexuality and gender.
- Balancing individual therapy alongside optimising each person’s social context.
Our team has particular expertise in working with women and girls who have been diagnosed with ASD.
Parent support
Parents of children and young people diagnosed with ASD or ADHD can receive lots of general information at the time of diagnosis, but often there is little follow-up available. We offer tailored support to help parents understand their child’s needs and plan how to put strategies into practice.
Children and young people with ASD or ADHD may find some life stages especially challenging, such as transition to secondary school or studying for GCSEs. Our clinicians support parents and liaise with schools to develop a shared understanding of how to meet each child’s needs during these key times to give them the best chance of success.
Assessment and diagnosis
If you are interested in a cognitive assessment to understand your child’s learning needs better, you can read more here.
