Why Are So Many of my Clients Neurodiverse?

I’m surrounded by neurodiversity at the moment and I feel inspired!

My son was diagnosed last year with Autism and I recognise quite a few traits of ASD and ADHD in myself and am considering being assessed.

28% of the clients I am currently working with have a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD or both. 50% of those received their diagnosis whilst working with me.

According to ADHD Aware, about 15% of the UK population are neurodiverse so my 28% is almost double that. Why?

My best guesses include:

  • I list ADHD and Autism among my areas of interest in my Bupa profile, leading clients to select me for this reason

  • There is greater awareness now than ever about neurodiversity, leading to an increase in adults being diagnosed and considering diagnosis

  • I have a greater awareness than ever of how ADHD, Autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia present in therapy and can impact relationships, self esteem and thought processes, so I encourage clients to explore the possibility of neurodiversity when I think this could be useful

  • Navigating a neurotypical world, masking, feeling in some cases unaccepted, struggling socially, and more, can contribute greatly to the anxiety, depression, burnout and relationship issues that bring many people to therapy, so I am guessing we will soon see statistics that a great percentage of people attending therapy are neurodiverse than are represented in the general population.

I find working with neurodiverse people very fulfilling, am continuing to educate myself on the subject, and look forward to this upward trend continuing.

Rachel Lackeyadhd, autism, asd, neurodiversity, neurodiverse, counselling, counsellor, psychotherapy, psychotherapist, neurodiversity competent therapist