Neurodiversity

Although neurodiversity is a relatively new term, originally being used by the autistic community as a way of moving away from the traditional medical model that suggests treatment and cures, it is now widely accepted more broadly and has been embraced by other groups to promote understanding and empowerment.

Since I began my counselling journey I have had the privilege and pleasure of working alongside many neurodivergent clients. In fact, my very first placement was at a specialist unit for children who had an Education, Health and Care Plan with priority speech, language, cognition and communication needs, such as Autism.

Through my work in the Swan Centre at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, with CASS (Counselling & Autism Spectrum Support) and through my private practice, I now have over eight years experience of working with a wide range of neurodiverse clients.

Labels & Diagnosis

Being neurodivergent often comes with various labels and/or diagnosis, which can be helpful and empowering to some, whilst being painful and limiting to others. I aspire to always see beyond someone’s label or diagnosis, whilst simultaneously holding how this can affect how someone see’s and interacts with the world they inhabit, alongside the myriad issues faced when sitting outside of what is deemed “normal”.

As someone who has their own neurodivergent traits and diagnosis, I feel I have a good understanding of what support (or lack of) is available and how this can have an adverse impact on everyday life. I am personally very grateful for the support and understanding that I received during my time at Brighton University, but I know all too well that this is not everyone’s experience. This is why I see the importance of continuing to build greater awareness and understanding, and one of the many reasons that I am extremely passionate about working with and supporting those within the neurodiverse community.

Queerness & Neurodiversity

There is a significant overlap between the queer and neurodivergent communities, with research indicating that neurodivergent individuals, particularly autistic people and those with ADHD, are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. Many neurodivergent people describe experiencing gender and sexuality in fluid, non-traditional ways, and there is growing academic recognition of the intersection between neurodiversity and queerness.

Both groups often share experiences of feeling different, existing outside of societal norms, and navigating systems that were not built with them in mind. For many, finding language to describe these aspects of identity can be liberating, while for others, labels feel restrictive. As someone who is both personally and professionally invested in these conversations, I am deeply interested in how queerness and neurodivergence intersect, influence identity formation, and shape experiences of community and belonging.

Professionally, I have worked with many clients who are exploring both their neurodivergence and their queer identity, often simultaneously. This has given me insight into the unique challenges they face, including the impact of masking, the struggle for authenticity, and the need for spaces where both neurodivergence and queerness are understood and affirmed. My approach is always to honour the complexity of these identities, providing a space where clients can explore their experiences without fear of judgment or the need to conform to external expectations.

Research continues to highlight the importance of affirming, neurodiversity-informed, and queer-inclusive mental health support. I am committed to ensuring that my practice reflects this, offering a space where neurodivergent and queer individuals feel seen, valued, and supported in all aspects of their identity.