Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy: Empowering Approaches to Foster Neurodivergent Participation - Paperback

by Otr/L (Editor), Otr/L (Author)

This community-driven resource is a timely collaboration amongst justice-focused leaders, equipping OT professionals with the tools to foster neurodiversity-affirming practice. Drawn from lived experience, professional expertise, and justice-oriented frameworks, this is both a practical guide and a visionary blueprint for dismantling ableism in OT practice. The first half of the book explores essential foundations such as neurodiversity, ableism, disability justice, trauma-informed care, antiracism, and strengths-based approaches. The second half offers practical strategies for embedding affirming principles throughout the OT process, including evaluation, intervention, research, and education.

Author Biography

Bryden Carlson-Giving is a Neurodivergent occupational therapist and activist who combines clinical expertise with lived experience to champion inclusive, anti-ableist practice. He earned his post-professional doctorate from Boston University, where he developed a toolkit to help occupational therapy practitioners challenge ableism in pediatric settings - work that led to the creation of the EMPOWER model, the first neurodiversity-focused occupational therapy framework. Bryden is the founder of Neurodivergent Nexus, an online resource hub for supporting anti-ableist OT practice and is the recipient of Boston University's Emerging Leader Award. Based in Minnesota, he works in the public schools to foster equitable practices that affirm the identities of all students.