Neuroaffirming Art Therapy

By Jessie Stallings.

*Neurodiversity reminds us there is no single “right” way for a brain to think, feel, or create. It celebrates the natural variation of human minds—including those that are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or otherwise divergent from the so-called norm (Singer, n.d.; Malchiodi, 2022). Neurodiversity positive art therapy welcomes and works with diverse ways of thinking and interacting by cultivating strengths and adapting for needs without expecting that clients fit a neurotypical “norm.”

What Is Neurodiversity-Positive Art Therapy?

Neurodiversity-positive art therapy is grounded in respect, accessibility, and authentic self-expression. It moves away from “fixing” or “normalizing” clients and instead focuses on honoring each person’s unique sensory, cognitive, and relational ways of being (Pinney, 2024).

In practice, this means:

• Adapting, not pathologising. Therapists work with clients’ natural rhythms—offering flexible pacing, alternative communication modes, and sensory-friendly environments (TherapistNDC, 2024).
• Centering lived experience. The client’s perspective is valued as expertise. Neurodivergent clients are seen as co-creators of the process (BAAT, 2024).
• Reimagining what art can be. Art might involve paint, clay, movement, building, or digital media—the “right” art form is whatever supports regulation and expression (Jeong & Shim, 2022; Schweizer et al., 2020).
• Strengths-based. Recognizing strengths where ableism often identifies challenges such as cultivating and leaning into preferred interests as valuable resources and not symptoms to remediate (Stallings, 2022).
• Considering and accommodating sensory challenges. Acknowledging and centering sensory needs and explorations to build relationships, attunement and address attachment challenges  (Durrani, 2020/2021) .

 Why It Matters

Historically therapies for neurodivergent clients have emphasized neurotypical norms such as eye contact and not acknowledged the strengths of these clients. These therapies often encouraged masking or behaving as neurotypical which is alienating, exhausting and at worst damaging and traumatic (Stallings, 2022; TherapistNDC, 2024).

Art therapy offers another way in. Creative expression allows for meaning-making that isn’t limited to words. It can hold sensory intensity, looping thought patterns, or nonlinear associations—all of which are integral to many neurodivergent experiences (Malchiodi, 2022). Therapy that honors these experiences and ways of engaging it can become a safe space and encourage empowerment.

Stallings (2022) points out that engaging clients’ special interests can function therapeutically as behavioral rewards, social facilitators, metaphors, communicative bridges, and anxiety modulators. Durrani (2021) argues that when sensory integration dysfunction (SID) is unaddressed, children with autism often struggle to form secure attachments—and art therapy that addresses both sensory and relational domains can promote deeper healing.

For Creative Arts Therapists

Becoming neurodiversity-affirming is a process of learning and unlearning. Therapists can:

• Reflect on biases around “functioning,” “appropriateness,” or “compliance” (Pinney, 2024)
  Neurodivergent art therapy aims to build empowering, safe spaces that cultivate authenticity, self-esteem and true healing.
• Design sensory-friendly studios with attention to lighting, sound, and texture (Pinney, 2024).
• Seek feedback from neurodivergent clients and colleagues (Stallings, 2022).
• Engage in continuing education led by neurodivergent voices (TherapistNDC, 2024).

For Clients

If traditional talk-therapy feels restrictive, neurodiversity-positive art therapy may be a better fit.

In a neuroaffirming art therapy space, you can:

• Express yourself through image, movement, or texture—not only words.
• Set the sensory environment and pacing that feel best for you.
• Explore strengths, identity, and self-understanding through creative play.
• Work with a therapist who values your way of thinking as something to be understood, not corrected.

Stallings (2022) encourages clients to bring their passions and “special interests” into therapy, where they can serve as tools for empowerment, joy, and self-connection. Durrani (2021) invites clients into sessions where art materials and sensory-regulating strategies open relational space—where the therapist meets the client in their sensory world rather than imposing external norms.

A Creative Revolution

Neurodiversity-positive therapy is ultimately about liberation—for both clients and therapists. It challenges ableist systems that define “health” too narrowly (TherapistNDC, 2024). Engaging and embracing in neurodivergent spaces, places and interactions makes the world richer for all of us. Neurodivergent art therapy aims to build empowering, safe spaces that cultivate authenticity, self-esteem and true healing.

*Note: this blog post was written with assistance from AI.

 References

BAAT. (2024). Neurodiversity and art therapy. British Association of Art Therapists. https://baat.org/publications/insight/autumn-2024/neurodiversity-and-art-therapy/

Durrani, H. (2020). Sensory-Based Relational Art Therapy Approach (S-BRATA): Supporting Psycho-Emotional Needs in Children with Autism. Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Jeong, J., & Shim, P. (2022). Exploring art therapy as a treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356430903_Exploring_Art_Therapy_as_a_Treatment_for_Children_with_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder

Malchiodi, C. (2022, October). Expressive arts are neurodiversity-affirming. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/202312/expressive-arts-are-neurodiversity-affirming

Pinney, F. (2024). Neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic arts practice. Journal of Contemporary Art Therapy.https://www.jocat-online.org/a-22-pinney

Schweizer, C., Knorth, E. J., van Yperen, T. A., & Spreen, M. (2020). Evaluation of “Images of Self,” an art therapy program for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Child & Youth Services Review, 116, 105207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105207

Singer, J. (n.d.). Neurodiversity: definition and discussion. Reflections on neurodiversity. https://neurodiversity2.blogspot.com/p/what.html

Stallings, J. W. (2022). Special Interests in Art Therapy with Autistic People: A Neurodiversity-Positive Approach to Empower and Engage Participants. Jessica Kingsley Publishers