Embracing Neurodiversity in Children
By Marnie Adams, Contributor @ Kids In Perth 09 Aug 2024
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
As parents, educators, and therapists, our goal is to nurture and support every child's unique needs.
In this journey, understanding and embracing neurodiversity plays a crucial role.
Neurodiversity, a concept that is sometimes misunderstood, provides a humanising and intersectional framework that emphasises individual needs and shared experiences, moving away from a deficit model suggesting there is a "perfect person."
What is Neurodiversity?
The neurodiversity paradigm recognises that variations in human brain function and behavioural traits are natural and valuable aspects of human diversity. This perspective challenges the notion that neurological differences, such as autism and ADHD, are inherently pathological.
Instead, it views them as part of the normal variation of the human genome.
Shifting from Deficit to Diversity
Traditionally, society has approached neurological differences from a deficit perspective, focusing on what individuals can't do compared to a so-called "normal" standard.
This model often leads to rigid systems and services that could be more flexible and meet each person's unique needs.
The neurodiversity paradigm, however, promotes a flexible and responsive approach. Acknowledging that everyone processes information differently, whether related to motor skills, communication, sleep, learning, behaviour, perception, play, movement, thinking, eating, feeling, socialising, or expressing emotions.
Normalising these differences allows us to create environments where all children can thrive.
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
The Importance of a Supportive Environment
As an occupational therapist and founder of TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre, Kerry Wallace has seen the profound impact of adopting a neurodiversity-affirming perspective.
When adults understand and adapt to these differences, they create environments where children feel comfortable, creative, and capable of meeting their needs.
Unfortunately, when systems remain rigid and unresponsive, children often feel like square pegs in round holes, leading to feelings of discomfort and distress.
Modifying the social and physical environment to suit each child's needs can alleviate many symptoms of distress.
Typically, children's responses to intolerable situations fall into three categories:
- Fight: Attempting to protect themselves.
- Flight: Running away from the situation.
- Freeze: Becoming too scared to respond, internalising their anxiety.
A fourth response, Fawning, involves masking discomfort by forming close relationships with trusted adults in the hope of protection. This behaviour often stems from the stigma and deficit narrative surrounding diagnoses like Autism and ADHD. Children who feel unsafe cannot be creative, learn effectively, or form healthy relationships.
The Dangers of Masking
Masking or concealing one's true feelings and behaviours to fit in can have serious long-term consequences. It can hinder the development of a child's identity, leading to mental health issues, burnout, and even suicidality. It’s crucial to foster authenticity in children by supporting their self-exploration and helping them identify and communicate their needs.
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
The Role of Therapists
The role of therapists extends beyond the therapy room.
They assist clients in self-exploration, helping them understand and accept their unique needs, while also, finding ways to effectively communicate to those around them.
Kerry and her team of specialists at TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre encourage community connectedness and maintain safe boundaries, fostering a sense of agency and autonomy from a young age in children they see during consults.
Kerry and her team also make a point to educate parents and adult caregivers about current trends and how to apply them in natural environments.
Informed and supportive parents and adult caregivers can create nurturing environments that allow children to thrive authentically.
Embracing neurodiversity means recognising and valuing how each child experiences the world.
By shifting perspectives from a deficit model to celebrating diversity can create flexible, responsive environments that meet the individual needs of every child. This approach supports their development and fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth, enabling them to thrive both now and into the future.
If you have any questions about your child or looking for information on how to support neurodiverse children, visit therapyspotperth.com.au or click the shortcut buttons below.
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
Why TherapySPOT?
Founded by Kerry, TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre is an allied healthcare practice in Nedlands that offers Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy. Having a welcoming environment and specialised equipment in the practice ensures each child and family receives personalised and effective long-term care and support.
TherapySPOT’s approach is anchored in the 5 C’s being Comfort, Control, Confidence, Competence, and Communication.
By focusing on these areas, children feel safe, gaining control over their environment, building self-confidence while developing competence in age-appropriate skills. Helping them improve across a wide range of outcomes such as communication, emotional regulation, better classroom learning and behaviour to name a few.
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
For more insights and support, visit TherapySPOT’s website or follow Kerry Wallace on Facebook. Kerry’s dedication and the comprehensive services at TherapySPOT make it a cornerstone of the Perth community for families navigating developmental challenges.
To learn more about TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre or book an appointment, visit therapyspotperth.com.au or click the buttons below.
Image / Video Credit: TherapySPOT Early Intervention Centre | Facebook, YouTube, Online.
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