Do Neurodiverse Individuals Need Therapy?
Neurodiversity is a growing part of the public social conversation.
Neurodiversity simply refers to natural variations that occur in the human brain and cognition in general. It includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia among others. These differences in our brain are not inherently problems that require fixing. Neurodivergence is a different way of experiencing the world around us.
The question, here, is “Do all neurodiverse individuals need therapy?” The simple answer is ‘no’. Yet, just as how therapy can be valuable to most everyone, therapy can help support neurodivergent individuals negotiate a world that is not fully ready for new ways of thinking.
Many neurodiverse individuals live healthy and happy lives without therapy. This is especially so when they are surrounded by those that are understanding, accepting, and help provide the accommodation needed for such individuals to thrive.
The potential need for therapy arises not from neurodiversity itself, but – as it can in anyone - from the challenges they encounter in daily life. Such challenges include social exclusion, societal pressures to conform, and being misunderstood.
Therapy is a personal journey and for the neurodiverse that do seek therapy the goals should be guided by the individual's circumstances, needs, and preferences. Stress, anxiety, and depression are common products of having to continually manage social isolation and sensory overload. Therapy can also help develop improved coping strategies and communication skills. Empowering them to live authentically in an unaccommodating world.
Therapy for the neurodiverse is a specialty. It is imperative that a therapist be neurodiversity-affirming, able to recognize and respect neurodivergence rather than apt to change, cure, or suppress it. A supportive therapeutic approach has an authentic respect for the individual’s identity and focuses on their well-being, autonomy, and self-understanding.
Kinsey & Associates is Boston’s most trusted team of therapists. We specialize in in-person couples therapy in Boston, as well as all of Massachusetts via online therapy.