TACPAC and Neurodiversity
What is meant by neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to the idea that all human brains and nervous systems function differently from each other. No human being will experience and react to their environment in exactly the same way because the way that our brains process information will be different.
The term neurodiversity originates from discussions and academic work carried out in the 1990s by autistic self-advocates who were able to discuss and share ideas online, therefore reaching a wider group of people. These ideas and beliefs have spread widely and formed what is now known as the neurodiversity movement.
The neurodiversity movement
The neurodiversity movement promotes the philosophy that a neurodiverse population is part of natural human variation and should be celebrated as different brains bring different ideas, strengths and skills.
The neurodiversity movement acknowledges that within the range of human brain functioning, there are groups of people who share common characteristics in the way their brains work and hence the way they experience and respond to the world around them. The term that defines broadly how the majority of human brains process and respond to their environment is known as neurotypical.
Individuals whose brains function significantly differently and who therefore process and respond to their environment in a different way from the majority (neurotypical people) are known as neurodivergent. Some conditions that are recognised as neurodivergent include autism, ADHD, tic disorders, dyslexia, developmental language disorder (DLD), dyscalculia.
The neurodiversity movement seeks to reframe the perception of being neurodivergent as a ‘deficit’ or a disorder and something that needs to be fixed. However, they also recognise that being neurodivergent can bring significant challenges and that people should receive the right support for them and in collaboration with them.
The neurodiversity movement believe that many of the challenges that neurodivergent people face are due to the expectation that they should fit into a world that is designed for the neurotypical brain. Historically, neurodivergent people have been expected to change their behaviour, suppress their natural instincts and alter their communication style in order to appear more neurotypical. This can lead to mental health problems and burnout as the effort of masking their neurodivergence is exhausting. A neuro-affirming approach advocates for changes to the environment to accommodate the needs of all neuro-types, rather than placing the onus on neurodivergent individuals to change.
Taking a neuro-affirming approach in TACPAC
TACPAC is an intrinsically neuro-affirming approach:
- TACPAC is an inclusive approach and seeks to celebrate all givers and receivers as valued and unique individuals.
- TACPAC does not seek to ‘fix’ neurodivergent people or try to make them appear more neurotypical but aims to meet them where they are at.
- During TACPAC, the giver and receiver communicate on an equal level as they are communicating at a sensory level. Both giver and receiver are regarded as valuable and important, regardless of neurotype.
- During TACPAC sessions, we strive to follow the receiver’s lead where possible and respond to their communication bids, rather than seeking to impose our own agenda.
- During TACPAC sessions, receivers’ sensory preferences and needs are respected and accommodations made where appropriate.
- We consider our receivers’ sensory needs with regard to the environment that TACPAC is carried out in, for example, thinking about lighting, noise levels, positioning.
- We recognise and try to accommodate receivers’ need to regulate, for example, some receivers may need movement in order to regulate, so we build this into the session, rather than expecting them to stay in one place the whole time.
- We encourage givers to adapt their communication style to their receiver’s needs and to use whatever form/s of communication their receiver responds best to, e.g. signs, symbols, objects, words.
Want to know more about Neurodiversity?
If you are interested to know more, there is some interesting information on The National Autistic Society website:
Neurodiversity FAQs
Neurodiversity literally means ‘brain differences’. Neurodiversity refers to the idea that no two human brains’ will function in exactly the same way. Neurological differences are part of natural human variation. Within this, it is recognised that it is possible to broadly group individuals according to their neurological functioning, for example, neurotypical people, autistic people, people with ADHD.
Neurodiversity seeks to reframe the thinking that neurological functioning that is outside of the neurotypical is disordered and needs to be ‘fixed’ and instead puts the onus on society to celebrate everyone’s differences and be more accepting and accommodating of everyone’s needs, not just those who are neurotypical.
There is no agreed definition of which conditions fit within the neurodivergence umbrella. The following conditions are commonly recognised as neurodivergent:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
- Dyscalculia
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia/ Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Speech differences, for example, stammering, cluttering, apraxia.
- Tic conditions.
The concept of neurodivergence is a social construct and as such our understanding of it will change in relation to culture, time and space and new conditions may be added. It is also recognised that often neurodivergent conditions co-occur.
Neurodivergence refers to the wide group of people whose neurological functioning is different to the predominant neurotype, i.e. those who are neurotypical. There must be a neurological difference in functioning that is typically present from birth and remains throughout life. Sometimes neurodivergence can be acquired through trauma or injury.
Neurotypical is an adjective describing someone whose neurological functioning develops and works broadly in the same way as the majority of humans. Neurodivergent is an adjective describing someone whose neurological functioning does not fall within the neurotypical patterns that the majority of people display.
Further Reading
Considering Neurodiversity in our TACPAC sessions
Considering Neurodiversity in our TACPAC sessions What does neuro-affirming mean? Neuro-affirming means in line with the philosophies of the neurodiversity movement, e.g. Treats all people, regardless of their neurotype, as valuable and important. [...]