Neurodiversity-affirming EMDR practice with autism and ADHD

Neurodiversity relates to clients whose 'brains are wired differently' (Singer, 2017) such as individuals with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia. Neurodiverse individuals offer huge benefits and advantages to our society, through their unique perspective on the world. However, they may also be more vulnerable to adverse life experiences and trauma (lobregt-van Buuren et al, 2020) and their traumas are often ascribed to their diversity, leaving them without therapeutic intervention, suffering in silence. This presentation highlights the need for neurodiverse-affirming communication with these clients alongside recognizing that modifications to the standard protocol (Shapiro, 2018) which may be necessary to help make EMDR neuro-diverse inclusive and accessible.

Conference

English

Susan Darker-Smith

Darker-Smith, S. (2023, August). Neurodiversity-affirming EMDR practice with autism and ADHD. Presentation at the at the 28th EMDR International Association Conference, Arlington, VA