A lion’s pride: Embracing neurodiversity through a strengths-based play approach
Neurodiversity is a concept that acknowledges and celebrates the natural variation in the human brain. It emphasizes and celebrates the concept that neurological differences, such as autism and ADHD, are natural variations of the human experience. Embracing a neurodiverse perspective involves recognizing and valuing the unique strengths, abilities, and perspectives that each individual brings to life.
The world of neurodiversity has had radical advances within the last few years, and we embrace what autistic individuals have been telling us and showing us all along.
As we tell the story of Alex, a bright, capable, neurodiverse little boy with a passion for lions, keep these key points of neurodiverse-affirming practice in mind:
Promote curiosity over compliance:
Encourage exploration and questioning rather than strict adherence to rules.
Example: Instead of telling a child to sit still, allow them to explore movement options while still participating in the activity.
Use strengths to build new skills:
Identify and leverage a child's strengths to facilitate the development of other skills.
Example: If a child excels in visual learning, incorporate visual aids or drawings to enhance their understanding of a concept.
Use interests in play:
Tailor activities to a child's specific interests to make learning more engaging.
Example: If a child loves dinosaurs, incorporate dinosaur-themed games or activities to enhance their enthusiasm for learning.
Create a safe space:
Establish an environment where children feel secure, physically and emotionally.
Example: Design a calm corner with sensory-friendly items for children who may need a break to self-regulate and feel safe.
Promote autonomy and respect for each individual:
Allow children to make choices and express preferences, fostering a sense of control and autonomy.
Example: Offer options for activities or tasks, allowing the child to choose what they feel most comfortable with, promoting a sense of ownership.
Presume competence:
Believe in a child's capabilities and potential, irrespective of their neurodiversity.
Example: Instead of assuming a child can't complete a task, provide support and adapt the task as needed, to lead to the just-right challenge for success.
View behavior as communication:
Understand that behaviors are often a form of expression or communication.
Example: If a child is acting out, consider potential triggers or underlying needs rather than simply addressing the behavior. This approach helps identify and address the root cause.
Now we’re ready to meet Alex. Alex loves animals, especially lions.
While getting to know Alex and his family, we could see many of Alex’s strengths and interests could be incorporated into sensory-friendly routines. This instills an internal sense of curiosity and motivation so that Alex wants to participate in activities that not only help to regulate his sensory system, but also help him achieve functional skills. Here’s what that looks like:
Encouraging curiosity at home: Alex's parents decide to transform a corner of the living room into his “lion's den,” filled with books, toys, and cozy sensory-friendly “rocks” (pillows and bean bags). This special area becomes his safe space and a place where he can go to regroup and also learn at his own pace.
Building on strengths: Because Alex is a visual learner, we set up visual aids to use during daily routines. He’s currently loving to use his new lion tongs to build his fine-motor skills that will help him to use utensils and crayons. Win win!
Playful learning: Alex's parents embrace the idea of lion-inspired games, where they do lion animal walks and yoga poses (and branch off into other animal friends of the lion). They use clay to build lions and they color pictures of a safari and zoo images. They hide jungle animals in sensory bins for Alex to dig out. They use blocks to build a jeep to go on a safari to observe the lions in their natural habitat. This approach nurtures Alex's love for lions and promotes motor skills and imaginative play.
Creating a sensory haven: Alex's parents include weighted toys and tactile experiences into his lion’s den so he has the ability to learn what his body needs when regulating his sensory system. This becomes Alex's personal sanctuary and builds respect for personal choice and preferences.
Promoting autonomy: Alex's parents integrate choices into daily routines to promote autonomy. Whether it's choosing lion-themed clothing or deciding on meal options, these opportunities allow Alex to express preferences and contribute to decision-making.
Presuming competence: With a commitment to presuming competence, Alex's parents set high expectations for their son's abilities. They encourage him to explore new activities and challenges, celebrating his achievements and fostering a positive environment that boosts Alex's self-confidence.
Understanding behavior as communication: Alex's parents pay attention to his signals, actively listening and observing to discern when he may need a sensory break and when to help transition to another activity.
For Alex, his lion-themed play is just that: play. He is deeply satisfied and finds joy in having access to playing with his favorite things while he is building functional skills and increasing his sensory regulation. For Alex’s parents, incorporating Alex’s interests into their daily routines has shifted their perspective to celebrate every aspect of their son’s interests while finding motivating ways to work toward building the skills necessary for independence. The lion-themed haven has become a testament to their dedication to fostering Alex's strengths, promoting autonomy, and embracing neurodiversity within the safe and comforting walls of their home.
Alex’s story is just a glimpse into how to incorporate a neurodiverse-affirming approach within your family routines.
Are you on the look out for more neurodiverse-friendly tips?
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