Welcome to the Neurodivergent Insights Resource Page
Featuring some of my favorite books, fidgets, directories, and resources to empower and support your neurodivergent experience
How to find a Neurodivergent
Affirming Therapist
Finding a therapist can be a challenging task, and while I wish I could assist you personally, here are some directories where you can find clinicians who are affirming and supportive of neurodivergent individuals.
Additionally, I’ve linked to some guides and blog posts on how to find a neurodivergent-affirming therapist.
Neurodivergent Affirming Directories
Finding a therapist can be a challenging task, here are some directories where you can find clinicians who are affirming and supportive of neurodivergent individuals.
✦ Neurodivergent Insights Directory: A directory of therapists, coaches, and occupational therapists who are members of the Neurodivergent Insights Learning Nook. These professionals are committed to neurodivergent-affirming practices, and many are neurodivergent themselves.
✦ ND Therapists is a Neurodivergent Directory of openly neurodivergent therapists (newer, but grows weekly!)
✦ Association of Neurodivergent Therapists (a UK directory!) An organization created by neurodivergent therapists advocating for neurodivergent rights. They are anti-ableist and anti-racist and support gender and sexual diversity. You can find their directory here.
✦ Inclusive Therapists is a Directory of justice-oriented therapists. You can filter by specialties, insurance, and whether or not they provide a sliding scale. Click here for autism.
✦ Therapy Den is a directory of progressive therapists. You can use our search tools to find therapists who specifically identify as "neurodiversity-affirming." You can also filter your search by other specialties and accepted insurance.
✦ Directory of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) Affirming Providers
✦ Neurodivergent Practitioners: A directory of neurodivergent coaches and practitioners.
✦ ND Couples Therapists This list of therapists includes clinicians who have completed the Neurodiverse Partner Institute’s training.
Intersectional and Neurodivergent-Adjacent Directories
✦ Ground Breakers is a therapy directory connecting BIPOC clients with culturally affirming BIPOC therapists. Focused on trauma and EMDR, it’s a valuable resource for BIPOC neurodivergent individuals. Though not ND-specific, it was founded by a neurodivergent individual with a mission to break stigmas, break cycles, and break new ground in healing.
✦ Queer Healers: This directory offers a diverse range of healers, from herbalists and astrologers to cranial-sacral therapists, psychotherapists, massage therapists, and doulas. While not explicitly focused on neurodivergence, this resource is valuable due to the overlap in communities, providing helpful support for many.
Assessment
✦ Neuroclastic has a global directory of assessors
✦ Neurodivergent Insights directory of Autism and ADHD assessors (if you would like to be added to the directory as an assessor, input your information here)
Therapy and Support Groups
(This is a collection of groups led by clinicians who are part of the Neurodivergent Insights Learning Nook and have shown a commitment to providing ND affirming care).
Global (Starts November 10, 2024!)
✦ Affinity Group: We will meet starting 11/10-12/15 for 1 hour from 5:30-6:30pm est.This group is for neurodivergent adults (18+) who are seeking a space for connection, support, and in-depth discussion. Topics include sensory processing, executive functioning, social differences, the interest-based nervous system, unmasking, and navigating the grief and relief of discovering neurodivergence. The cost is $300 for six weeks. Led by Miranda and Amy two AuDHDers!! We have backgrounds in Somatic Therapy and Social Work. Our websites are Miranda Jane Counseling and Free To Be Me. Download flyer for more details.
Maryland, Virgina, DC and Texas
✦ Autistic Women/nonbinary adults: This group is for Autistic Women/nonbinary individuals who are looking for solidarity, support, and discussion with like-minded folks who are interested in taking a deep dive into their Autistic identities. Topics include sensory sensitivities, rejection sensitivity, interoception, mood-regulation, self-care, and masking. This is a safe place for shared belonging and connection. Details: Must be 18 or older. On-line group runs for 10 - 12 weeks several times throughout the year. Sliding scale fees available. Led by Sondra Wolff Download flyer for more details.
Seattle, Washington (in person)
✦Neurodiverse-Affirming Yoga Group: This group supports adults with neurological differences (ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder, high sensitivity, etc) and mental health challenges (depression, anxiety, etc). This gentle practice offers tools for building self-awareness, attunement, focus, positive self-esteem, and sense of agency while supporting cognitive, emotional and sensory overwhelm. Using lots of yoga props as support, we will play, challenge ourselves appropriately and rest deeply.
This class is safe and appropriate for beginners of yoga as well as those with some experience. This group is in-person only, in Seattle, WA. Classes are currently not offered online nor are they recorded.
Logistics: First Sundays of each month, 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM. Cost: $45/class; In-person only
Led by Jenny Leung a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), you can learn more here or download this flyer for more information.
Nashville/ Brentwood TN in person
✦DND Group Therapy (open to teens and adults): Dungeons and Dragons therapy group in the Nashville area! The RPG aspect of the group will be true to the game, and the therapeutic aspect incorporates Internal Family Systems, ACT, Narrative Therapy, and of course group interaction.
This group is in-person and meets weekly for 10 weeks, in Brentwood/Nashville, TN. Feel free to fill out our interest form on our website - we'll be offering DnD therapy intensives in the coming months.
Logistics: Our next DND Therapy Group begins June 5th at 6:30pm and will run for 10 weeks. Cost for the 10-week series is $850. Groups are small (3-5 participants + our therapeutic game master) so that everyone gets plenty of playing and processing time. We've got a form on our website for folks who need a different day/time.
Therapeutic game master Penny Reif will be leading the group and identifies as Ace and HSP. We're excited to welcome you to our supportive, sensory-mindful space and look forward to adventuring and growing with you.
Recommended Reading: My Favorite Books on Autism and ADHD
I love reading and have been reading lots about Autism/ADHD since discovering my Neurodivergence. Below are a few of my favorites.
Autism-Related Books
(Disclaimer: Affiliate Links)
ADHD-Related Books
(Disclaimer: Affiliate Links)
Sensory Supports
If you struggle with sensory processing, you know how overwhelming it can be to navigate this world! That's where sensory supports come in. These tools and resources can help regulate sensory input, reduce stress, and increase sensory safety. From fidget toys and noise-canceling headphones to weighted blankets and sensory-friendly clothing, there are lots of supports out there! In this section, you'll find some of my favorite sensory supports and resources.
My Favorite Sensory Resources
(Disclaimer: Affiliate Links)
Use Code Dr_Neff to get $10 off!
Below are some of my go-to websites. These sites offer a wealth of information, tools, resources, and support for neurodivergent people and those who support neurodivergent people.
Neurodivergent Websites
Spectrum News is a valuable resource for anyone looking for current research and up-to-date information about autism.
When I'm looking for information and resources on ADHD, I turn to ADDitude. They offer up-to-date research, as well as a podcast that I find to be a valuable resource. It's important to note that they approach ADHD from a medical perspective and may not always align with the neurodiversity movement.
Nick Walker's website is a foundational resource for anyone seeking to understand Neurodiversity and the Neurodiversity movement. Great for individuals who are interested in the intersection of existentialism, social justice, and philosophy. It is an especially great resource for neuroqueer individuals looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world around them.
NeuroClastic is a great resource. This website is a collective of autistic voices and a fantastic resource for Neurodivergent individuals. It offers a variety of affirming articles, resources, and perspectives from the Neurodivergent community.
Embrace Autism offers a range of resources, including screeners for autism and educational materials. They also provide a global assessment for autism, which can be a helpful tool for self-discovery and self-advocacy.
ASAN (Autistic Self Advocacy Network) is a fantastic resource. They have tons of information, toolkits, and resources. They provide up-to-date information and support for self-advocacy, policy change, and community building.
Here are some tech accommodations helpful for neurodivergent minds.
Technological Accommodations
Goblin Tools is a set of AI tools made to help neurodivergent people with everyday tasks, like breaking down projects and estimating time. It's designed to make daily life a bit easier and support those with executive functioning challenges (free to use)
Autentik.ai is a plugin developed by autistic individuals to help decode allistic (non-autistic) speech. It assists autistic users in understanding and responding to social communication by interpreting subtle cues and nuances often present in allistic interactions, making conversations more accessible and less stressful (free to use)
