Neuroaffirming care and practice recognizes neurological differences, such as being Autistic, ADHD and other types of neurodivergence, as natural variations of the human experience rather than deficits to be corrected or having to be cured from. The focus changes from fixing individuals to understanding and supporting their unique needs. This approach highlights the uniqueness of how neurodivergent brains work and…
We live in a world where compliance and obedience are often goals when supporting autistic people. Chris Bonnello, autistic author, teacher and speaker asks the question, ““How come we encourage non-autistic people to think independently, question authority and stand up for themselves, while autistic people are taught that obedience and compliance are things to be encouraged and rewarded?” James Link,…
Autonomy refers to the ability to make decisions independently and act on them without undue external influence. Autistic individuals are keenly aware of their own needs, strengths and preferences. They tend to make choices that reflect their individual values and interests, prioritizing being true to themselves over conformity to societal expectations and norms. Autonomy is one of three basic psychological…