A practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support: our new interactive toolkit and alternative to PBS plans
We’re joined on the blog today by Kay Louise Aldred, NdC’s Development Lead, for the second blog of our latest campaign ‘Against PBS & ABA’.
Kay explores some of the core principles of our new interactive toolkit.
Traditional care systems often expect Autistic people to adapt to environments that were not designed with their needs in mind.
Our new interactive toolkit: A Practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support developed by Neurodiverse Connection and based on the research and work of Autistic Doctors International (Autistic SPACE: a novel framework for meeting the needs of autistic people in healthcare settings, Doherty, McCowan, and Shaw (2023)) offers an alternative: a practical, person-centred approach that prioritises emotional safety, sensory support, relational trust, embodied understanding, and human rights.
Rather than asking, "How do we manage behaviour?" we encourage a shift in perspective to, "How do we create environments and relationships that foster a sense of embodiment, co-regulation, and belonging?" And rather than focusing on compliance or behaviour management, the toolkit centres the lived experience of the individual, promoting co-regulation, autonomy, and affirmation of Neurodivergent identity. While primarily designed for Autistic people, the toolkit may also benefit non-Autistic individuals who seek dignity, inclusion, and self-directed support.
What is the SPACE Framework?
The SPACE Framework provides a structure for neurodiversity-affirming care.
The framework is organised around five key areas:
Sensory: Supporting regulation through tailored sensory tools and low-arousal environments.
Predictability: Reducing stress and dysregulation through routines and preparation.
Acceptance: Affirming identity and reducing pressure to mask.
Communication: Honouring all forms of expression, including AAC and non-verbal cues.
Empathy: Depathologising emotions and supporting nervous system regulation.
The three types of space
The SPACE framework reminds us that Neurodivergent wellbeing is supported by attending to three types of space:
Physical space: Calm, uncluttered, low-arousal environments.
Processing space: Time and silence before expecting responses.
Emotional space: Low-demand, quiet environments to support regulation during distress.
These spaces are foundational to respectful, supportive care.
Foundations of the practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support interactive toolkit.
The toolkit emphasises:
Ongoing consent and clarity: Accessible communication that allows pause, revisit, or refusal. Prompts like “Would you like us to go over this another way?” help maintain trust and autonomy.
Rights-based decision-making: Best-interest decisions are made only after supporting autonomy and considering the individual’s wishes. Documentation, transparency, and feedback are central.
Honouring the nervous system: Stress responses, including meltdowns or shutdowns, are reframed as protective communication.
Co-regulation: Focus on relational presence, emotional attunement, and strategies that reduce stress instead of enforcing compliance.
Sensory support: Tools help identify individual sensory preferences and adapt environments to promote comfort and regulation.
Core principles of the practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support interactive toolkit.
The toolkit promotes inclusive and affirming practices:
Use multiple, accessible forms of communication.
Respect sensory needs and embodied experiences.
Avoid one-size-fits-all strategies.
Affirm Autistic identity and reduce the need for masking.
Prioritise emotional wellbeing and regulation over outward compliance.
Validate all emotions as meaningful messages.
From planning to practice
Our toolkit provides practical tools for co-created care and safety planning, including:
Reflection prompts, planning tools, and strategies for real-world application.
Templates for care plans, safety plans, and combined summaries.
Guidance for ongoing review and adaptation to meet evolving needs.
This toolkit goes beyond simple checklists; it represents a paradigm shift. It emphasises the importance of internal experience over external compliance or superficial calmness.
Why it matters
Care planning too often focuses on managing behaviour rather than meeting human needs.
Our interactive toolkit: A practical approach to neurodiversity-affirming care and support invites a shift: from control to connection, from correction to collaboration.
By centring embodied safety, sensory awareness, and identity affirmation, we create environments where Autistic people feel safe, understood, and empowered, and where everyone benefits from inclusive, compassionate practices.
