Neurodiversity affirming SOCIAL WORK

Neurodiversity affirming social work therapy works collaboratively with you to build capacity in the areas that are important to you. It supports you to develop skills, tools, and strategies that will improve your wellbeing. This can include:

• Developing knowledge about the complexity of neurodivergence and the changing impact this may have across the lifespan
• Building skills such as self-advocacy, conflict resolution & self-regulation 
• Supporting the development of positive self-identity & self-esteem
• Educating parents and carers to build their own skills and confidence to support their child’s unique needs
• Supporting families with multiple neurodivergent members to manage competing communication & sensory needs
• Providing Psychoeducation regarding the many internal and external factors that impact neurodivergent individuals, and how to navigate these
• Supporting the development of relationship & emotional regulation skills
• Creating accessible environments at home & strategies to meet sensory needs in the community
• Processing the emotional adjustment to a new diagnosis

Social Workers often support people through particularly difficult times in their life, when situations overcome your existing strategies. Some events where you may find a neurodiversity affirming social worker particularly helpful include:

• When a diagnosis is received
• Preparing for transitions (such as starting school or moving out of home)
• Sudden change in capacity or behaviour (such as finding it difficult to attend school)
• Changes in family dynamics or identification of neurodivergence in other family members
• Increasing overwhelm for carers
• When experiencing burnout