Our clinic is well known for its neuro-affirming approach, emphasising a strengths-based approach and appreciation for the authentic individual.

• Prioritising safety in the nervous system from the outset

• Utilising language that promotes radical acceptance of difference.

• Understanding differences in brain function that impact a child’s responses.

• Minimising overwhelm and meltdowns by creating a canvas of social, physical, emotional and sensory safety.

• Teaching of flexibility to young people to enable them to handle difficult thoughts and feelings as they emerge, only once nervous system is assessed to be calm

• Assisting with “giving up” behaviours by recognising fluctuating capacity

• Guiding young people towards a valued and meaningful life in the face of difficulty.

• Celebrating diversity

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Autistic young people usually report feeling very comfortable within the first session- an essential feature of a young person’s ability to effectively engage in therapy and to benefit from it. We use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to assist young people to manage overwhelming feelings. 

 

A neuro-affirming approach underpins the following skill development goals of sessions:​

• Recognising my own needs  (sensory/social emotional)

• Self-advocacy

• Recognising and understanding multiple perspectives and differences in communication

• Developing social skills that feel authentic to the young person and enable connection with like-minded peers

• Recognising different social preferences of neurotypical peers

• Perfectionism

• Restrictive eating patterns including ARFID

• Handling a different style of learning

• Managing sensory overload

• Recognising masking and its cost

• Using the special interest to advantage

• Managing inattention, executive function deficits and best ways to scaffold support

• Encouraging the exploration of passions and interests to find like-minded peers

• Low demand approaches to managing nervous system overload

• PDA

• Working with the young person's school

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