Working with neurodivergent adolescents

ABOUT THE EPISODE

Working with neurodivergent adolescents

Dr Hayley Macgregor discusses communication, sensory preferences and practical ways to make therapy more accessible for neurodivergent adolescents.

• Understanding neurodivergence in therapy
• Setting sessions up with the client in mind
• Adapting communication and the therapy environment
• Useful tools and sensory considerations

How can we make the therapy setting more accessible?

Accessibility begins before a particular intervention is chosen. Dr Hayley Macgregor discusses setting sessions up with the individual client in mind, including their communication style, sensory preferences and what helps the environment feel manageable.

For an autistic adolescent or an adolescent with ADHD, apparently small features of a session may affect how available they are for the work. Asking rather than assuming gives the therapist useful information about pace, language, predictability and the practical setup of the room.

What might a therapist adapt in the session?

Adapting therapy does not mean lowering expectations or applying one standard “neurodivergent” format. It means making thoughtful changes that help this particular client engage, communicate and use the session.

The episode explores useful tools, sensory considerations and clearer ways of communicating. These adjustments still need to fit the young person's preferences, the therapeutic relationship and the purpose of the work, with space to review together what is and is not helping.

Related listening: Continue with Beyond Diagnosis: Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice for a wider discussion of autistic adults, late diagnosis, neuroaffirming language and adapting therapy and assessment.