1. Neurodiversity-Affirming Multidisciplinary Approach
The team consists of psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, life coaches, music and art therapists, somatic therapists, and psychedelic therapy specialists. The focus for adults is on empowerment, autonomy, and the development of personal strengths, with respect for each individual’s neurodivergent profile.
2. Strengths-Based Assessment
Assessment should emphasize:
- Cognitive strengths and talents in areas such as creativity, problem-solving, attention to detail, and unique approaches to tasks.
- Challenges that adults face in work, relationships, or daily living, while exploring how neurodivergent traits can be harnessed as assets.
- Self-assessment tools to encourage insight into one’s own needs, boundaries, and desires, fostering self-awareness and personal growth.
3. Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Self-Empowerment
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focus on supporting the individual in understanding thought patterns and behaviors in a non-judgmental way. Tailor it to build confidence in managing symptoms (ADHD, OCD, PTSD) while recognizing their strengths.
- Trauma-Informed Therapy: For adults with PTSD, a trauma-informed approach is essential. This might include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which focuses on processing traumatic memories in a safe, structured way.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps adults embrace their neurodivergence, learn self-acceptance, and align actions with deeply held values, reducing the pressure to “fit in” or conform to neurotypical standards.
4. Creative Therapies that Foster Self-Expression
- Music Therapy: For adults, music can serve as a form of emotional release and a tool for managing stress, anxiety, or PTSD. Adults can create their own soundscapes or engage in therapeutic music sessions to explore emotions without pressure of words or language.
- Art Therapy: Used as a medium for self-reflection and exploring identity. For adults with OCD, ASD, or PTSD, art therapy can help them process emotions, develop insight, and feel empowered through creative self-expression.
5. Life Skills Coaching
- Time Management & Organization: Adults with ADHD or ASD may benefit from coaching in executive functioning, such as time management, organization, and prioritization. These skills can be tailored to their unique cognitive style, encouraging independence and autonomy in work and daily life.
- Financial Management and Career Development: Helping adults with life skills that include managing finances, developing career goals, and advocating for accommodations in the workplace. This coaching emphasizes empowerment and self-sufficiency.
- Self-Advocacy and Boundary Setting: Adults are encouraged to advocate for their own needs in relationships, the workplace, and healthcare settings. Teaching boundary-setting skills helps them navigate their social environments with confidence and assertiveness.
6. Social Interaction Exposure Therapy
- Social Confidence Building: For adults with ASD or social anxiety, exposure therapy involves gradually introducing more challenging social interactions, focusing on situations relevant to their daily lives (e.g., social gatherings, workplace interactions). This helps reduce social anxiety and fosters empowerment in social spaces.
- Networking and Support Groups: Structured support groups with other neurodivergent adults can provide a safe space for sharing experiences and gaining social confidence. Peer networks foster a sense of belonging and community.
7. Somatic and Body-Based Therapies
- Somatic Therapy: For adults with PTSD, somatic therapy helps release trauma stored in the body and fosters deeper connection to physical sensations. It encourages adults to become attuned to their bodies, helping them manage stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
- Yoga and Mindfulness: These practices support self-regulation, emotional balance, and mental clarity. For adults with ADHD, mindfulness can help with focus and calm, while those with PTSD benefit from grounding techniques that foster a sense of safety in the body.
8. Sensory Integration and Regulation
- Occupational Therapy for Sensory Processing: Many adults with ADHD or ASD experience sensory processing challenges. Occupational therapy can teach adults to develop strategies for managing sensory overload, such as creating sensory-friendly environments at work or home, leading to greater empowerment in daily life.
9. Oxytocin Therapy
- Oxytocin Therapy (administered under professional supervision): Oxytocin may promote emotional regulation, increase feelings of social connectedness, and reduce anxiety in social settings. This can help adults with ASD, ADHD, or PTSD feel more confident and empowered in their relationships and social lives.
10. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
- Psychedelic Therapy (for suitable candidates under professional guidance): Psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA, or LSD can support deep emotional healing, self-exploration, and personal growth. This can be particularly beneficial for adults with PTSD, OCD, or treatment-resistant depression. Sessions are conducted in a safe, therapeutic environment to facilitate profound introspection and healing.
- Microdosing Psychedelics: Some neurodivergent adults with ADHD or anxiety may benefit from microdosing protocols, which have been reported to enhance focus, mood, and creativity. These small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics may provide cognitive and emotional benefits without full psychedelic effects, promoting subtle but empowering changes.
11. Executive Functioning Coaching
- Planning and Organizational Skills: Coaching in executive functioning can empower adults with ADHD or ASD to develop personalized strategies for managing tasks, schedules, and responsibilities. Adults learn to adapt to their neurodivergent brain rather than trying to follow neurotypical standards of organization and productivity.
- Self-Regulation Techniques: Empower adults to recognize when they need breaks or adjustments to manage overstimulation or executive dysfunction. Provide tools that match their natural rhythms and preferences.
12. Mindfulness and Movement-Based Therapies
- Mindfulness Practices: For adults, mindfulness helps manage anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and trauma-related stress. Teaching adults to focus on the present moment without judgment empowers them to feel more in control of their emotional state.
- Movement-Based Therapies (Yoga, Tai Chi): Yoga, Tai Chi, and other mindful movement practices encourage grounding, self-awareness, and balance, especially for adults with PTSD or sensory sensitivity. These therapies help release tension and promote a sense of calm.
13. Psychoeducation and Advocacy
- Psychoeducation for Adults: Empower adults with knowledge about neurodivergence, breaking down stigmas and emphasizing strengths rather than deficits. Information on brain functioning, coping strategies, and neurodiverse role models can help adults feel more empowered and self-assured.
- Workplace and Relationship Advocacy: Adults are encouraged to advocate for accommodations in the workplace, relationships, and healthcare. Equipping them with the tools and language to explain their needs promotes empowerment and self-advocacy.