Rethinking Mental Health Support for the Neurodivergent
By Sophie Bishop
Rethinking Neurodivergent Mental Health Support
Just a few years ago, “neurodivergent” wasn’t a frequently used term among people unfamiliar with neurodiversity – certainly not as it is now.
It’s quite surprising that the term itself wasn’t coined until the 1990s, when it replaced the (very) outdated terms that described disorders and deficits.
Up until then, there simply wasn’t a good way to describe the people we champion here at Different Brains. Why? A lot of it stems from neurodiversity being misunderstood for so many years.
Recently, however, there’s been a growing focus on neurodivergents and how our healthcare system – and society in general – can better support individuals with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other neurological differences.
This includes neurodiversity and mental health. Even with the increased understanding, there’s still plenty of space for improvement. In this article, we’ll look at the current mental health support available and how the system could be rethought for better support and inclusivity.
Why Does Mental Health Support for Neurodivergents Need a Rethink?
There’s a growing body of data finding a correlation between neurodiversity and mental health. While this hasn’t been confirmed with clear-cut numbers, studies do suggest that if you’re neurodiverse, you may be more at risk of mental health challenges.
To take a quick look at some of the available data, 70% of the global neurodiverse workforce face mental health problems. This is a whole lot higher than the global average of 50%, and instantly tells us that there’s a link here.
Alongside this, almost 3 in 10 children diagnosed with ADHD also experience anxiety disorders.
So, it should come as a huge surprise when we tell you that standard Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training doesn’t include neurodiversity. That just doesn’t align with the data at all!
Not only does this mean that mental health professionals aren’t being trained on the different types of support required, but also that the correlation is being ignored. For neurodiverse individuals, that’s pretty scary news.
While knowledge of neurodiversity is growing, the mental health industry certainly has some work to do to catch up.
Improving Training to Provide Better Neurodiversity Support
Excellent mental health and neurodiversity support begins with proper training.
When rethinking mental health support for neurodivergents, training for healthcare teams should include:
1 Understanding Mental Health for Neurodivergents
As anyone who’s spent time with neurodiverse individuals can confirm, neurodiversity isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ term. People present their neurodiversity in lots of different ways, and that includes when discussing mental health.
Individuals with autism might show symptoms of depression as heightened emotional reactivity, while anxiety can manifest as sensory overload.
Masking, in which people suppress neurodivergent traits in order to fit in with those around them, presents a whole different issue altogether.
It’s crucial to the success of neurodiverse mental health support that professionals understand this. Therapists should be trained on how symptoms can present themselves, and online resources should work on raising awareness and understanding, while catering to unique needs.
By doing this, we can start lowering the cases of misdiagnosis and build more flexible support systems.
2 Real-World Scenarios
As technology evolves, so does mental health training and support. Professionals can now walk through real-world scenarios in virtual reality (VR) simulations, opening up the possibility of practising different situations to improve neurodiverse support.
With VR development, professionals could learn to recognise those little emotional cues that tell so much about a person’s state of mind
It’s easy to read about twitches and a lack of eye contact in a textbook, but how frequently would a professional notice these signs of distress? Some of these cues can be very subtle.
It could also be helpful for mental health professionals to view the world through the eyes of neurodivergents by using VR. They could see what it looks and sounds like when someone in a busy space is experiencing sensory overload, for example.
This would be an excellent way to boost widespread understanding and empathy, both of which are essential for effective mental health support.
3 Strategies for Adapting Support
When mental health professionals aren’t used to working with neurodiverse patients, they can struggle to adapt their approach to meet different needs. Even something as simple as the light in a therapist’s office can overwhelm some neurodiverse individuals.
Training must teach professionals how to adapt their approach to suit neurodivergents. This can include sensory issues, like lighting and noise, and intentional space design, as well as communication. Speaking in clear, direct language is crucial to some of the people we work with at Different Brains, as are visual aids.
4 Providing Multiple Channels of Support
Mental health support comes in many shapes and sizes, from therapy sessions and online resources to helplines and community programs. These options make it easier for neurotypical individuals to access the help they need, when they need it.
Neurodivergent individuals deserve the same variety of accessible, flexible support, tailored to different communication styles, sensory preferences, and unique needs.
At Different Brains, we’re passionate about expanding support options. Text-based therapy sessions, for example, could be a game-changer for non-verbal individuals or anyone who finds verbal communication challenging.
Dedicated peer support groups for neurodivergent people can offer not only connection but a real sense of community, acceptance, and belonging.
Online resources and self-guided tools also play a powerful role in making support more accessible, while helping to build greater awareness around how mental health intersects with neurodiversity.
5 Supporting Neurodiverse Mental Health at School
In America, around 1 in 36 8-year-olds are diagnosed with autism, and many more are identified with other forms of neurodivergence. As these numbers continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to provide the right kind of mental health support early on.
When neurodiverse children have access to care in a supportive, well-suited environment, the benefits can be life-changing.
It can boost self-confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and help them navigate and connect with the world around them in a way that feels safe and empowering.
Final Thoughts
Studies are starting to show that neurodiversity and mental health are closely linked, making it essential that appropriate support is available. At Different Brains, we’re working to make that happen by promoting the understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.
For more information and advice on living as a neurodivergent or supporting someone who’s neurodiverse, take a look at our resources.
Sophie Bishop is a medical, wellbeing and lifestyle writer. Sophie aims to spread awareness through her writing around issues to do with healthcare, wellbeing and sustainability and is looking to connect with an engaged audience.
Contact Sophie via her website: https://sophiebishop.uk/.
X: @SophBishJourno
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-bishop/
