I prioritise working with ADHD/’zoomie’ brains and Autistic people. I value the differences in people’s minds while appreciating that navigating a neurotypical world can be exhausting and disabling. I am not an assessor, but I can work with adults who have been assessed or who self-identify as ADHD or Autistic people, to work towards reducing internalised oppression, and towards whatever you would like to use therapy for, without being pathologised for your neurodivergence.
Autistic wellbeing
I understand that Autistic people are an integral and beautiful part of the neurodiversity of humanity, who deserve full access to acceptance (from self and society) authenticity (to the extent that they are safe to unmask in any given situation) and full autonomy and personhood. Autistic people should not be gaslit by the medical and mental health professions and society at large, and should be able to define themselves using their own subjective experience of themselves. Their support needs should be defined by them, believed, validated and resourced to reduce their disablement by society. They should be supported to have a positive Autistic identity and community. We should all fight to abolish ableism and neurophobia. The interests, hyperfocus and expertise of Autistic people should be respected, not pathologized. Autistic people should be free to move their bodies in organic Autistic ways, as body language such as movement, stimming and avoiding eye contact should be proactively facilitated and supported, not pathologized.
The framework I use to think about Autistic wellbeing has been developed by Reframing Autism, and is created by Autistic people and Autistic researchers. I am currently completing additional professional training with Reframing Autism in Autistic wellbeing. Stimming is welcome in sessions, and I would prefer you have whatever level of eye contact is most comfortable for you. Your level of eye contact will not be evaluated or interpreted through a neurotypical lens. I use identity first language and I do not use the term ‘disorder’ in relation to Autistic people.
Neuroqueer and Autigender people are welcome.
ADHD or ‘Zoomie’ brains
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is an inaccurate and pathologising term for what has been described as challenges regulating attention, or even an abundance of attention, and is thought to be underdiagnosed in women and people assigned female at birth.
I respect that your brain is capable of extraordinary things, such as putting together disparate information very quickly, or making creative links between previously unrelated concepts. And that your brain may also find it more challenging than others to remember where your umbrella or keys are, to organise, prioritise, and keep track of time, which can be debilitating in a neurotypical world where these things are expected and taken for granted.