At InsideOut Wellness Therapy we recognise that each person’s way of thinking, feeling and being is unique. For clients who are neurodivergent - whether with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia or other neurodivergent traits, traditional therapy models may not always feel like the right fit. The good news: therapy can be adapted, and when it is, it can make a profound difference.

Why Adaptation Matters

Neurodivergent individuals often face additional barriers to accessing and benefitting from therapy. Some examples:

• Communication styles may differ; internal experiences might be hard to put into words.

• Sensory processing differences (light, sound, touch, smells) may affect how comfortable a therapy space feels.

• Executive-functioning issues (planning, organising, remembering) may make following traditional therapy “homework” more challenging.

• Many neurodivergent clients have experienced misunderstanding, stigma or mis-diagnosis, which can make building trust in therapy harder. National Autistic Society

By adapting our approach, we reduce those barriers, work with the client’s strengths, and create a genuinely inclusive and affirming therapeutic space.

Core Principles of Neuro-Divergent-Affirming Therapy

1. Affirmation & identity-respect
   Therapy should not aim to “normalise” a neurodivergent client. Instead, it should recognise neurodivergence as a valid way of being rather than a flaw. Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

2. Collaborative flexibility
   Adaptation is not “one size fits all”. A good therapist will ask: “What works for you? What doesn’t? What do you prefer?” Then adjust accordingly. matrix.nhs.scot

3. Sensory and environmental awareness
   The therapy setting itself matters—light, sound, seating, even the material of the chair. These need to be considered.

4. Communication and structure
   Provide clear expectations, agendas, visual aids or summaries. Use direct, unambiguous language. Avoid sarcasm, metaphors that might confuse.

5. Strength-based focus
   Rather than concentrating solely on “fixing deficits”, we build on what the client already does well—special interests, hyper-focus, creativity, resilience. loveontheautismspectrum.com

Practical Adaptations You Might Encounter

Here are some examples of how therapy can be tailored for neurodivergent clients:

• Session format & pace: Allow for breaks, shorter or more frequent sessions if needed. Provide a clear outline of the session beforehand.

• Visual aids & written materials: Use charts, images, flow-charts, summaries of discussion. Some clients may prefer writing or drawing rather than verbalising everything.

• Sensory regulation tools: Offer options like fidget toys, noise reduction, dimmer lighting, choice of seat—or even the ability to stand or move during session.

• Flexibility in tasks/homework: If traditional “homework” is overwhelming, collaborate to create smaller, concrete tasks that align with the client’s style and rhythm.

• Focus on meta-skills and emotion regulation: For example: “How do I recognise when my processing is overloaded?” “What do I need to slow down and ground myself?”

• Affirming language: For instance, instead of saying “You’ve got social deficits” we might say: “You’ve developed excellent adaptations—let’s understand how to use them and also ease the parts that feel hard.”

• Choice of modality: Some neurodivergent clients may prefer video sessions, messaging support, or alternate ways of engaging rather than purely face-to-face. National Autistic Society

How Trauma, Neurodivergence and Therapy Intersect

Many neurodivergent individuals also carry trauma—or experience frequent invalidation, sensory overwhelm, masking (i.e., hiding one’s neurotype to fit in) and burnout. These experiences impact the nervous system, self-image and relational patterns.
Therapy that integrates trauma-informed care with neurodivergent-affirming practice recognises that:

• The body might hold tension because of constant sensory/facilitation demands.

• The internal “alarm system” may be overactive (because of threat, overload, dysregulation).

• The client might feel unseen or misunderstood in “standard” therapeutic settings.

By combining somatic or body-aware approaches, regulation tools and a flexible structure, therapy can help the client: feel safer in their body, connect their thoughts/feelings in accessible ways, and build an identity that honours both their neurotype and their life experience.

What to Look for in a Therapy Provider

If you are neurodivergent and seeking therapy, here are some questions you might ask a prospective therapist:

• “What experience do you have working with neurodivergent clients?”

• “How do you adapt your space and sessions for sensory or processing needs?”

• “How flexible is the session format (length, breaks, modality)?”

• “How do you support tasks or activities between sessions if traditional ‘homework’ is hard for me?”

• “How do you see neurodivergence—what’s your stance on it being part of identity vs ‘problem to fix’?”

Final Thoughts

Therapy absolutely can work for neurodivergent people—and in many cases it can be more accessible and effectivewhen it is genuinely adapted for your needs. You don’t have to “fit the model” of a typical neuro-type; your therapy should fit you. At InsideOut Wellness Therapy we’re committed to making that happen: affirming your neurotype, tailoring our approach, and helping you move towards greater self-understanding, emotional wellbeing and resilience.

If you’d like to explore working together—or simply want to talk about how we might adapt therapy to your needs—please do get in touch.