Neuroaffirming Practice

For decades, the standard approach to disability support often felt like a renovation project. The goal was to “fix” behaviours or make a person appear more “neurotypical.” But trying to change the fundamental way a brain works is exhausting. It requires individuals to mask who they are just to make others comfortable. Worst of all, it rarely leads to long-term happiness or genuine independence. Neuroaffirming practice takes a different path. It starts with a simple premise:

For decades, a dominant idea shaped how we understood autism and communication: autistic people struggle to understand others. They lack empathy. They need to learn “social skills.” But what if that story is only half true? In 2012, autistic researcher Dr Damian Milton proposed a different way of thinking about these communication difficulties. He called it the “double empathy problem.” His argument was simple but important: when communication breaks down between autistic and

The request seems simple enough. Put on your shoes. Reply to that email. Brush your teeth. Eat breakfast. But for some autistic individuals, these everyday expectations trigger something that feels closer to panic than inconvenience. The nervous system registers “put on your shoes” the same way it might register genuine danger. What follows is not a choice to be difficult. It is survival mode, as overwhelming as a panic attack but often misread as willful disobedience. This p

Building and maintaining relationships can be both rewarding and challenging for anyone. For autistic individuals, these dynamics often come with unique considerations. While social communication differences, sensory sensitivities, and a preference for routine may shape how relationships unfold, they do not diminish the capacity for deep, meaningful connection. With understanding, communication, and mutual respect, autistic people can and do thrive in romantic, platonic, and