In meeting other people with my neurotype, I’ve heard really strong opinions about therapy when it comes to Autism and ADHD. How do I know whether to get therapy for my neurotype and what kind of therapy should I seek?
It can absolutely be overwhelming for people new to the Autistic and ADHD communities to hear such strong (and sometimes opposing) perspectives on therapy. Those who express concern about certain models of therapy are informed by the clear history of mistreatment of neurodivergent communities by the mental health industry. Thanks to the hard work of disability activists, great strides have been made toward understanding what types of therapy are helpful and what is not.
Historically and today, families have been almost universally steered toward “early intervention” therapy models. The most common model is “Applied Behavioral Analysis” or ABA. ABA uses a system of rewards and punishments to train away natural neurodivergent behaviors and communication styles and instead rehearse neurotypical styles of behavior and communication. Both research and the experience of people who have been through these therapies indicate that they may not work [2], they are capable of causing great stress [1], and no therapy can “intervene” on a person’s neurotype. While there is much validity to the concerns of those opposing ABA therapies, some leaders in disability justice point out that not all families have the same safety to refuse ABA or have access to any other kinds of schooling or childcare support, and that these families also deserve to be welcomed in Autistic and ADHD communities. [3]
So if not early intervention through ABA, then what other therapy is available? Possibly nothing!
No person needs therapy simply for existing as neurodivergent, and neurodivergence itself does not need to be “treated.” Autism and ADHD are valid ways of existing in this world, and if someone already has what they need to understand themself, be supported, and find joy, there may be no reason to seek therapy at all. If there have been barriers to finding support, understanding, and joy, or if stress has built up over time, therapy can be a helpful place to tend to those needs. Just as is true for Allistic people, while everyone deserves support for stress and hardships in life, everyone also deserves choice in whether or not and why they attend therapy.
There are many reasons aside from your neurotype itself that you might be considering therapy. Being neurodivergent in an Allistic world comes with stressors that you deserve support for. Being Autistic or having ADHD may increase the chance of co-occurring experiences that benefit from care, such as depression, trauma, or chronic illness. When life becomes hard, you deserve support from a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who is prepared to understand how you process information and hear what you need.
Ready to learn more about therapy with a neurodiversity-affirming therapist at Capital Crescent Collective? Contact our team today to schedule a consultation.
This post was written by Anna White, an experienced, neurodiversity-affirming, independent therapist at Capital Crescent Collective in Bethesda, MD. Anna offers virtual therapy to clients in Maryland and Virginia.
[1] Anderson, L. K. (2023). Autistic experiences of applied behavior analysis. Autism, 27(3), 737-750. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221118216
[2] Donovan, M.P. (2020). The Department of Defense Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration Annual Report. Report to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives. https://altteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Annual-Report-on-Autism-Care-June-2020.pdf?x78693.
[3] Hammond, T. (2024) F*ck it I’ll just put it all in one book: A collection of posts and essays exploring ABA, race, intersectionality, and community.