A practical guide for Australian psychologists and allied health clinicians on what neuroaffirming documentation actually means, and how to spot it in the resources you use.
neurodiversitytemplatesclinical documentationneuroaffirming
Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
Clinical resources for psychologists working with neurodivergent clients
Neurodiversity-affirming practice means working with neurodivergent clients in a way that respects their neurological differences as part of human diversity rather than as deficits to be fixed. This hub collects clinical articles, templates, and resource categories relevant to psychologists, counsellors, and allied health professionals working with autistic clients, ADHDers, and others with neurodivergent presentations.
Articles in this guide
A practical and honest guide for neurodivergent psychologists and allied health clinicians navigating systemic ableism, masking, burnout, and finding environments where they actually thrive.
neurodivergentcliniciandyslexia
How to navigate university complaint processes when written assurances aren't honoured, with specific guidance for autistic students on Ombudsman pathways, evidence-building, and escalation.
university complaintsprocedural fairnessautistic students
A practical clinician guide to video game therapy, including Minecraft, Roblox, telehealth sessions, gaming groups, consent, privacy, and therapeutic intent.
video game therapyplay therapyneurodivergent
The shift towards neuroaffirming practice has significant implications for how clinicians design handouts, write reports, structure sessions, and communicate goals with clients. Neuroaffirming templates look different from standard clinical resources — they avoid deficit framing, use identity-first language where the client prefers it, and account for sensory and processing differences. This hub covers what those differences look like in practice, how neurodivergent clinicians themselves navigate the psychology profession, how to handle procedural fairness issues for autistic students, and how creative approaches like video game therapy can be used with neurodivergent young people. Browse the resource categories below for downloadable worksheets, handouts, and clinical tools.
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Download ready-to-use clinical tools from PsychVault's resource library.
Frequently asked questions
What does neuroaffirming practice mean in psychology?
Neuroaffirming practice refers to clinical approaches that respect neurological differences (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) as natural variations in human neurology rather than disorders to be eliminated. In practice, this involves using identity-first language where preferred, adapting communication styles, avoiding ABA-derived approaches that prioritise masking, and co-designing goals with the client.
How are neuroaffirming templates different from standard clinical templates?
Neuroaffirming templates avoid deficit-focused language, use clear visual layouts that reduce cognitive load, accommodate processing differences (e.g. shorter sentences, more white space), and frame goals in terms of the client's own values and preferences rather than normalisation. They may also use icons, colour coding, and alternative response formats.
Can video games be used therapeutically with neurodivergent young people?
Yes. Video game therapy (sometimes called game-based therapy) can be highly effective with neurodivergent young people, particularly those with social anxiety, ADHD, or autism. Games provide a low-stakes environment for practising social skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Clinicians can join clients in-game or use games as metaphors and communication tools within sessions.