The Neurodiversity Affirming Model®
The Neurodiversity Affirming Model® is a framework based on inclusion and acceptance. It is an anti-oppressive methodology that is informed by social justice education, such as disability justice, disability studies, neurodiversity studies, Mad studies, critical autism studies and fat studies. It was developed to intervene against the current oppressive models that center individualism and are inherently fatphobic, ableist and sanist. It challenges the medical model of disability, neuronormativity and pathological paradigm that currently pervades and anchors education and practice in dietetics and the mental health field.
It recognizes that neurodivergent people are essential to our society and deserve respectful and affirming care. It is trauma-informed and acknowledges that there is natural variation in human cognitive function. It rejects the idea that neurodivergent people need “fixing and positions neurodivergent people as the experts in neurodiversity. It recognizes that to fight for collective liberation and promote healing, we must dismantle systems of oppression that impact those who are neurodivergent and marginalized.
A neurodivergent-affirming approach offers access to liberating reframing while still attending to needs such as access to accommodations as well as providing practical tools that are needed.
Model On the Move
Based on Kuhn’s research on paradigm shift, the Neurodiversity Affirming Model® is a model on the move, continually being informed by different bodies of work, academic and non-academic. The five pillars that inform the model are not static but dynamic in nature, constantly transforming as un/re/learning happens, such as through the application of centring those who are the most marginalized and the most impacted. In this sense, the pillars are not static structures but mutually inform each other in an ongoing collaborative movement together.
The Neurodiversity Affirming Model® is built on five pillars
1. Anti-oppressive + anti-ableist
To dismantle ableism, we need to dismantle all forms of oppression. We honor the intersectionality of all folks.
2. Leadership of those most impacted
We believe that our clients are the experts in their own experience. We listen to their stories, validate their lived experiences and trust their expertise.
3. Acceptance-based
We believe that all humans, regardless of their neurotype have unique strengths. Through an acceptance based approach, we can improve both our client’s well-being and the world surrounding them.
4. Trauma-informed (moving beyond ACEs)
Our approach considers “non-traditional” experiences of trauma such as sensory trauma, neurological trauma, social trauma, compliance trauma and medical trauma.
5. Bodymind liberation
We recognize the various forms of violence and oppression towards those living in marginalized bodies. We believe in cross-movement solidarity with respect to racial justice, disability rights, fat liberation, body liberation and neurodiversity.