Neurodiversity Affirming Services

Neurodiversity-Affirming Services

Providing neurodiversity-affirming care is an important part of what we do at Lavender Spectrum Health. After all, some of our providers and other staff are neurodivergent themselves!

At Lavender Spectrum Health, we believe strongly in having providers who specialize in autism and other neurodiversity. Many of us have experienced the struggles of finding providers for autistic adults – sensory difficulties during exams, lighting that can feel distressing, and lack of control over background noise, among other things. We also prioritize consent and autonomy in healthcare.

Providers for Autistic Adults – Unique Considerations

You are not alone in having unique needs and considerations for your care. At Lavender Spectrum Health, we believe that you know you better than anyone else. Because of this, we want you to have more control over how your appointments go.

Are you interested in different lighting? Not a problem! We have different lights and settings we can use to make the exam room more comfortable. Do you prefer a certain exam table setting? We can adjust that too! Does your sensory experience complicate physical exams? We ask questions and control the pacing of exams throughout to keep you as comfortable as possible.

We also proudly offer a variety of fidget toys in our exam rooms – dragons with pride colors, key rings with beads, pride color snails, and of course popping toys and fidget spinners. 

Autism

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a lifelong condition characterized by differences in social and sensory processing. It is present at birth and often runs in families. Autistic people often have sensory sensitivities to foods, clothing, lighting, music, and other sensory input. Autistic people also may experience challenges with social cues, indirect communication, and literal thinking.  Autistic people may also struggle with disruptions in routine or when unexpected things happen. 

Although there are few options for medications that are approved by the FDA for autism, there are many medications which can help improve anxiety associated with sensory overwhelm, autistic meltdown/shutdown, or other forms of overstimulation. There are also counselors who can help develop strategies to cope with living in a world that was not designed for you. Occupational therapists can also help you redesign your environment and life to be more accessible to you.

Click here to learn more about mental health medication.

ADHD

ADHD is a lifelong condition characterized by differences in regulating attention, concentration, and moods. There are three main types of ADHD, including inattentive ADHD, hyperactive ADHD, and combined ADHD. Inattentive ADHD is characterized by challenges focusing and paying attention. Hyperactive ADHD is characterized by problems with sitting still, restlessness, and need for constant movement. Combined ADHD is when a person has both types of ADHD at the same time. 

People with ADHD also may struggle with emotion regulation. They may become easily frustrated, overwhelmed, or irritable. A combination of medication and counseling can help with these challenges. 

People with ADHD are often very sensitive to hormonal fluctuations whether that has to do with menstrual cycles, hormonal medications, menopause, or other hormonal conditions. 

Many medications are available for treatment of ADHD, including stimulant and non-stimulant medications. Click here to learn more about mental health medication. We will help find the best medications for you! 

Workplace Accommodations

We can help create documentation for your workplace for job accommodations for previously diagnosed neurodivergent individuals (autism and/or ADHD), as well as provide referrals for assessment for evaluation for ADHD and/or autism in patients who have not been previously diagnosed but suspect they may have one or both of these conditions. We are not qualified to diagnose these conditions at Lavender Spectrum Health. 

We can also help explore the impact of your neurodivergence on your other health conditions. You may not realize that the advice you have gotten from neurotypical providers about managing your other health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, PCOS, and others may not be appropriate for neurodivergent individuals. For additional support around neurodivergence, see our recommended reading.