Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

What Is Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy?

When we talk about neurodiversity, we’re talking about the beautiful range of human brains and the many different ways people think, learn, feel, and communicate. Being neurodiversity-affirming means we see differences like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurotypes not as “disorders to be fixed,” but as natural variations in human development.

In therapy, a neurodiversity-affirming approach is about supporting the individual as they are — building on their strengths, respecting their communication style, and removing unnecessary barriers to participation in life. It’s not about making someone “look more typical” or training them to suppress their natural ways of being.

Instead, neurodiversity-affirming therapy:

• Centers the individual’s autonomy – honoring their choices, preferences, and consent in therapy activities.

• Focuses on real-life goals – targeting skills that improve independence, communication, and self-advocacy, rather than just compliance.

• Celebrates all communication – whether spoken words, AAC devices, gestures, or other methods.

• Prioritizes sensory and emotional regulation – because comfort and safety are the foundation for learning.

• Partners with families – incorporating parent expertise and lived experience into every step of the process.

This approach often involves collaboration across disciplines — speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and more — so we’re supporting the whole person.

Why ABA Is Often Not Neurodiversity-Affirming

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy model that focuses on using reinforcement and repetition from an external standpoint. While some families report positive experiences, ABA has been widely criticized by autistic self-advocates, researchers, and many therapists for practices that can conflict with a neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Here’s why ABA often does not align with neurodiversity-affirming values:

1. Focus on “normalizing” rather than supporting authenticity

   Many ABA programs target reducing or eliminating autistic traits — like stimming, echolalia, or avoiding eye contact — even when these behaviors are not harmful and are important self-regulation strategies for the individual. Neurodiversity-affirming therapy seeks to respect and support these differences instead of training them away.

2. Compliance over autonomy

   Traditional ABA can place heavy emphasis on compliance — teaching the child to follow instructions without question. This can inadvertently teach children to ignore their own boundaries, preferences, and body autonomy, which is the opposite of what a neurodiversity-affirming model aims to foster.

3. High intensity, low collaboration

   Many ABA programs operate for 20–40 hours per week with goals that can overlap with other disciplines, rooted in childhood development or neurology, without an understanding of why those skills are being addressed. This can leave little room for child-led learning, sensory needs, rest, or collaboration with other therapy professionals like OT, PT, and SLPs.

4. Potential emotional harm

   Autistic adults who have been through ABA often describe it as stressful, exhausting, or even traumatic — particularly if they were taught to mask their natural communication and coping strategies. The tasks and skills training include: do this + this = and you'll get this reward. This can lead to suppressing internal needs to comply. Masking has been linked to increased anxiety, burnout, and decreased mental health.

   
   

What neurodiversity-affirming therapy does differently:

Instead of focusing on making a child appear “less autistic,” we focus on helping them build skills for self-advocacy, independence, and joy in daily life. That means supporting natural communication styles, sensory needs, and interests, while ensuring therapy goals are meaningful to the child and their family.

When therapy is neurodiversity-affirming, children aren’t working to mask who they are. They’re building skills and strategies that help them thrive as their authentic selves, now and into the future.

Questions or comments? Reach out to Stephanie at Stephanie@bitesizedkids.com and get on the schedule!