Neuroaffirming practices actually benefit ALL, not some.
(The words and opinions of this blog are that of the author & her experiences. This is not professional advice, & should not be used in lieu of that.)
To be neuroaffirming is not the prioritisation of certain neurotypes over another, in fact it’s not even looking at different types of brains as separate collectives. True neuroaffirming practice is recognising neurodiversity is embracing ALL neurotypes, simply and factually, for their strengths AND hurdles. A neurodiverse society is a society that is better off for being so on so many levels, morally, empathically, ethically, that is abundant in perspectives and unique skillsets.
Being neuroaffirming is looking at us humans as a collective and recognising that we ALL have daily needs that impact and support us to have the best day we can. What those needs are though, are specific to each of us. Sure there may be overlaps (such as food, water, clothing…), but each of us need to access the supports that match us individually to have our version of our ideal day. Because we are all individual.
Identifications (or diagnoses if you prefer that term) can give great starting insight to potential strengths, impacts, accomodation / support needs, and hurdles. This is important, as the environments we move and live in is built by the majority neurotype - often referred to as neurotypical. Typical meaning common, but common doesn’t mean default, or best, or ideal. Our environment shapes and impacts and the impacts can be a huge disabling factor, and environment is so varied.
Accomodations and Supports.
It’s easy to see a wheelchair ramp and understand its purpose. But what about noise-cancelling headphones in a noisy workplace? Time flexibility for someone who struggles with executive function? Gentle lighting making a space sensory friendly? These kinds of supports often go unnoticed or its purpose not perceived directly connected to the disabling factor, especially when someone’s disability or difference is invisible.
And when something’s invisible, people sometimes assume it’s not real, or that it’s not ‘really that impacting’. That assumption is harmful. Questioning or judging the accommodations someone needs, or even the fact they need them at all, or claiming unfair privilege or favouring, puts barriers in front of a persons day before it’s even begun. It makes it harder to feel safe, understood, or included.
But when we meet difference with acceptance and curiosity instead of suspicion, and when we trust people to know what supports they need, we create environments where people can thrive, not just survive.
Nobody does their best in survival mode.
Accommodations aren’t about giving someone an “unfair advantage.” They’re about removing the unfair disadvantages that come from living in a world not built for all bodies or brains.
A lot of these accommodations and supports that are commonly used would in fact benefit many, for example;
A flexible workspace or classroom may help someone with ADHD focus, and also reduce burnout.
Visual schedules may support an autistic child with transitions, but helps all with staying on track, reducing ‘repetitive what next’ questions from all students, and planning ahead. That schedule helps workplaces thrive pre-plan and be more productive.
A quiet room may offer sensory relief for one person, a brain break for another, and an interoceptive check in for a third person. We all take a big breath, a moment, a walk.. even the ‘smoke break’ is an accomodation - on multiple levels (not advocating for anyone to take up smoking as that is proven hazardous to your health, but the break is where the benefit lies - but because smoking was normalised to society for a time, this accomodation was normalised too).
An AAC poster (Alternative and Augmentative Communication Poster) supports non-verbal communication, and you don’t have to be a non-verbal communicator to use it, or to experience times of overwhelm and being at a loss for words. I think sometimes people don’t stop to think it might be nice to not have to force yourself to speak when you’re needing some support and are at max capacity.
When we make space for different ways of thinking, processing, and being, everyone benefits.
Accomodations are NOT privileges.
Really, really, if I could leave any message to the world it is that accomodations are not privileges. I cannot list count the number of times I have been told that in order to access an accomodation or support, there is a reward chart or set of expectations one must achieve in order to access it. If you see this happening - sound the alarms, sirens, wave the red flags. I’m so serious here, this is not ok.
It is ableism. It is discriminatory. It is dangerous.
“Making someone work for an accomodation or support is like asking someone who wears glasses to read 5 books in order to be allowed to wear them. ”
When we see an individual simultaneously thriving and utilising supports / accomodations, there can be the judgement that they don’t need it or that it’s more for novelty or a privilege or a treat than actually beneficial. To me, there’s a two fold reality to this;
The stereotypes of neurodivergent traits and presentations still sits in a deficit approach. Many people think of sensory overwhelm, shut downs, melt downs, executive dysfunction as identifying traits for being neurodivergent, and that Autism is the default association to being neurodivergent.
The person is thriving and displaying strengths based neurodivergent traits because they have access to the supports they need, meaning their accomodations are critically beneficial. This further shows that its not a privilege, but in fact a baseline need for that individual, and taking that away from someone is beyond my words.
You may see an accomodation or support and think ‘oh, that must be nice to have’, I ask that if the creeping thought of unfair or privilege creeps in you change that mindset from it being a deficit and correct yourself. You very well may think that you would enjoy having that support yourself and to that I say… GREAT, try it out!
You might find that it benefits you immensely, that it transforms your day, that you didn’t realise how much cognitive work you were forcing onto yourself to maintain a standard set by others that negatively impacts your day to day functioning!
Or you may find that it was more novel in your brain than in reality, that it holds little to no reward or benefit for you, that its nice but not crucial - for you. But remember, what is nice for some is critical for others.
Language has power.
Additional needs, special needs. Let’s unpack these terms. ‘Additional’ and ‘special’ gives indication of privilege. We don’t call a wheelchair ramp / disability ramp a ‘special ramp’. We don’t call glasses ‘additional vision’. For the individuals whose good day is dependent on accessing these supports, they aren’t special or additional - they are baseline needs.
Maybe we can call them good day needs. Everyone deserves the best potential to have a good day.
People can still have a day without some supports, as in the 24 hours will pass regardless. The day will be much harder, more frustrating, limiting, possibly even painful, and far from a ‘good day’. Side note, even with all the supports in place, anyone can have a bad day - we’re human and bad days happen for us all.
Dismantling the kind of language that gives aura of privilege could reduce stereotypes and prejudice, an example is like the ones that seem to commonly shape around ‘fidget toys’. They are frequently perceived as distractors (by those who don’t use them) and that there is no functional benefit in people using them, they’re just a novelty. Rather than accepting them for what they are as multi benefit supports and maybe that could be due to the name being comprised of two words known to distract. I see language changing and a lot of people starting to refer to them fidget tools or focus tools. I truly believe that if fidgets were introduced to mass public first as neurodivergent support rather than a toy, there may be a better perception of their purpose and benefit now.
So the next time you notice a support in place, an accommodation in action, or someone asking for access to supports and/or accomodations consider the current cost it can take to advocate for your needs in a world that doesn't always understand or acknowledge them.
More so, demonstrate this mindset to those around you. Call out ableist opinions, and if you are in a position to do so show the accomodations you use that you feel comfortable to share. This normalises them and reduces the stigma. If you don’t think you use any accommodations or supports, have them around for others to access - this also normalises them and reduces stigma. A fire extinguisher isn’t useless for sitting in the classroom not being used, the same value is placed on neuroaffirming supports. There when needed.
Do not entertain claims of privilege, such as taking a support away because it’s ‘not fair’ to other children. If a child queries about someone else’s accomodations, take it as an opportunity to educate. Everyone is different, and everyone has different needs to have a good day - sometimes we do not have the right or authority to disclose someones personal information. Explain what the supports intention is, how it is used, and if teh child really thinks they are missing out - let them access one for themselves. They either really do need it and will fond connection, or the novelty will wear off and it will lose that aura of ‘forbidden fruit’.
Keep it simple and factual. Remember and remind that accomodations are not privileges, everyone deserves the right to have the best day they can.
