What is a Neurodiversity Affirming Approach?
As a psychologist, one of the questions I often hear from families is: “What does it mean for therapy to be neurodiversity affirming?” It’s a phrase that is becoming more common, but not everyone has a clear sense of what it involves.
Put simply, a neurodiversity affirming approach is a way of understanding and supporting autistic individuals (and other neurodivergent people) that respects their differences rather than viewing them as deficits. It recognizes autism as a natural and valid part of human diversity. This perspective matters because the way we understand autism directly shapes the supports, therapies, and opportunities we provide.
The Traditional Medical Model
Historically, autism has often been understood through the medical model of disability, which frames autism as a disorder—a set of deficits that exist within the individual and need to be “fixed.”
This model has influenced therapies that often prioritize making autistic individuals appear more “typical”—enforcing eye contact, suppressing stimming, or encouraging social behaviors valued by society—without always considering the autistic person’s comfort, well-being, or goals.
While well-intentioned, this approach can be harmful. Many autistic individuals report growing up feeling broken, misunderstood, or pressured to mask their true selves. The result can include shame, anxiety, and burnout.
The Biopsychosocial Model: A More Nuanced Perspective
The biopsychosocial model provides a more holistic way of understanding autism. It recognizes that human behavior and experience are shaped by the interplay of:
Biological factors – neurological differences, sensory sensitivities, genetic influences.
Psychological factors – coping strategies, emotional regulation, cognitive patterns.
Social and environmental factors – societal expectations, accessibility, relationships, and cultural attitudes.
From this perspective, challenges that autistic individuals face are not caused solely by their neurology. They emerge from the interaction between their biology, personal coping mechanisms, and the environments they navigate.
Incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, therapy can focus on helping individuals clarify their own values and take meaningful action, rather than attempting to force them into externally defined norms. The aim is not to “fix” autism, but to reduce barriers and support autistic individuals in living according to what matters most to them.
What Does “Neurodiversity Affirming” Look Like in Practice?
A neurodiversity affirming approach integrates insights from the biopsychosocial model with ACT principles. In practice, this includes:
Valuing diverse ways of communicating. Spoken words are just one form of expression; gestures, typing, or AAC are equally valid.
Respecting stimming and sensory needs. Self-regulation strategies like rocking, flapping, or using sensory tools are not behaviors to suppress—they help maintain comfort and engagement.
Focusing on individual strengths and goals. Therapy emphasizes building skills that support the individual’s chosen values, not societal expectations.
Supporting movement toward personally meaningful goals. Therapy helps the individual engage in life in ways that align with their own values, even in the face of challenges, consistent with ACT’s focus on committed action.