How art therapy can be neurodivergent- affirming
Why this matters
If you are autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexic, or otherwise neurodivergent, you deserve care that honours your brain and body. A neurodivergent affirming approach sees neurotype as natural human variation. It centres your strengths, it adapts the environment, and it supports your goals without asking you to mask.
Here is what neurodivergent-affirming art therapy looks like in practice.
Core stance
Person led and rights based. You choose the goals, pace and methods. Consent is ongoing, and you can change your mind at any time. This aligns with NDIS Practice Standards that emphasise person centred supports, dignity, and informed choice. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission+1
Therapy through making. Art therapy uses creative processes inside a safe therapeutic relationship. It can support emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual wellbeing, and it sits comfortably with diverse cultural models of health. anzacata.org+1
Collaboration, not compliance. The client is the expert on themselves. Art therapy adapts to your communication style and sensory needs, rather than expecting you to mask or conform. Australian Psychological Society
How sessions can be affirming
Interests first. We build sessions around your passions, for example trains, insects, or game worlds, using them as themes or materials to boost engagement and joy.
Choice of materials and set up. You select tools that feel good to your body, for example smooth markers, soft pastels, clay, or digital drawing. We provide options for seated, standing, floor, or movement based making.
Sensory safety. We adjust light, sound, smells and textures. You can use noise reducing headphones, sunglasses, gloves, aprons, and take movement or quiet breaks whenever you wish.
All communication is valid. Speak, sign, type, use AAC, draw, or point. We use visual schedules, first then plans, and clear endings. The NDIS requires accessible communication and informed choice, which we honour in every session. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission+1
Stimming is welcome. Repetitive mark making, rhythmic drumming, kneading clay and fidgets can regulate the nervous system and are built into activities rather than discouraged.
Executive function support. We co create step by step visual guides, timers, predictable routines, and gentle scaffolds for task switching and transitions.
Trauma aware, restraint free. We avoid compliance led goals. Safety plans focus on regulation and agency, not restriction. This aligns with human rights based approaches in disability support. NDIS Review
Culture, identity and context matter. We invite your cultural practices, languages and spiritual worlds into the making process, so the therapy fits you, not the other way round.
Transparent outcomes. Together we choose outcomes that feel meaningful to you, for example energy management, sensory strategies that work, self advocacy, or joy in creativity. These can feed into your NDIS goals and reviews. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Examples of affirming & therapeutic art processes
Sensory regulating making. Large paper with broad strokes, weighted tools, clay work, water based inks, or collage with varied textures.
Story worlds. Build characters or zines from your special interests to explore identity and communication safely.
Choice based projects. A personal studio project where you decide the brief, materials, and when to pause or stop.
Low demand days. Quiet parallel making together with minimal verbal processing, then short debrief using visuals.
Bookings and referrals
You can self refer, or come via a GP, support coordinator, or school. Sessions can be funded through NDIS if applicable.
A gentle closing
Your way of sensing, thinking and moving is not a problem to fix. Art therapy offers a place to create on your own terms, to discover what helps your body and mind, and to be fully yourself.