How are we neurodivergence -affirming?

• Client led – We address what you want to work on in therapy.
• Structure and Flexibility – We can co-design with you a therapy approach that is structured or flexible. We pay attention to your preferences.
• We pride ourselves in making sure that your therapy goals are based on what you want and doable.
• We are highly punctual and endeavour to start sessions on time.
• With us, you don’t have to mask, we encourage you to be your authentic self, but also understand that building trust can take time as well.
• We seek to understand and connect with your special interests.
• We welcome info dumping and tangents.
• If you wish, you can choose the level of eye contact in sessions, or even request none at all.
• You are welcome to move around in session, request breaks or a visual session timer.
• We respect stimming and sensory needs. You are welcome to occupy your hands, if needed, in sessions. Jimmy tends to use a tennis ball himself in session, or something similar.
• We make room for different forms of expression beyond just verbal expression (e.g. in writing).
• We operate from and listen to lived experience.
• We don’t use strong deodorants or perfumes in the office.
• We can provide photos of our office space.
• We can provide a written breakdown of what to expect in seeing us for therapy.
• If preferred- we can gather intake information via an online form instead of over the phone

Neurodivergent individuals are those who have neurodevelopmental differences that affect their cognitive, emotional, and sensory processing. These differences can make it difficult to navigate a world that is designed for neurotypical individuals.

In using neurodivergent-affirming approaches, we help understand how the environment around you can be changed or influenced, so it can meet your needs. As opposed to trying to change you to suit the environment – which is the opposite of neurodivergent-affirming.

We respect all neurotypes, including neurodivergent needs and preferences. We pay close attention to your wants, needs, strengths and challenges. Neurodivergent-affirming care means we do our best to tailor therapy to you as an individual and to create a space that feels welcoming and safe. We acknowledge those who have been provided a diagnosis, those who self-identify and masking individuals.

At J&A we use identity-first language. We see neurodivergence as a central part of one’s identity and something to take pride in. We don’t see neurodivergence as a disorder that needs to be separated from who you are. This means we say “Autistic person” as opposed to “person with or experiencing Autism”. We will also say “ADHDer”, as opposed to “has ADHD”.

We also see viewing or speaking to a neurodivergence as a disorder, as unhelpful and damaging. Neurodivergence is not something to be treated or cured. Instead, it needs to be celebrated and accommodated to. Neurodivergent people don’t need to be ‘normalised’, they deserve to have their needs met, just like any body else. We seek to remove environmental barriers for neurodivergent people, not neurodivergent people themselves.

In being affirming, we also avoid terms like ‘high functioning’ or refer to functional ‘levels’. We understand that using such language does not accurately identify a person’s needs and can massively misresrepresent ones internal struggles.

While we use identity-first language as our default, please let us know if you prefer other forms of reference, as we still endeavour to respect individual preferences.

More about Jimmy

• Jimmy is in his early 30s
• Is neurodivergent himself
• Current fav fidget tool = tennis ball (which he sometimes uses in session)
• Has Cerebral Palsy
• Grew up loving Star Wars
• Has played video games his whole life. His first ever game was Crash Bandicoot on the Playstation 1. His favourite of all time is Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2.
• Is into sports – especially basketball, F1, american football and regular football (soccer)
• Wears Air Jordans as much as possible
• Love his wife, she is his favourite person
• Food is his 2nd favourite thing

Jimmy’s values

• Patience (first and foremost)
• Enthusiasm
• Persistence
• Curiosity
• Helpfulness
• Authenticity
• Drive
• Doubt
• Creative/Divergent thinking