Date of Award
Fall 12-19-2024
Document Type
Project (696 or 796 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Counseling
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Taryn Akgul
Keywords
Neurodiversity affirming, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, mental health, applied behavioral analysis
Abstract
Consisting of a literature review and a training presentation, this project investigates the concerning mental health crisis affecting the autistic community and educates school counselors on how to shift to a neurodiversity-affirming approach to better support student needs. Research shows that autistic individuals subjected to applied behavioral analysis (ABA), social skills training (SST), and other behaviorist treatments experience significantly poorer mental and physical health outcomes as well as lower quality of life, indicating a critical need for change (Aral et al, 2023; Cassidy et al, 2020; Stewart et al, 2023). Supported by modern research, a neurodiversity-affirming approach is a better path forward to helping autistic students thrive. Neurodiversity refers to the natural neurological differences and variations in the brain, including but not limited to autism. Adopting a neurodiversity-affirming approach as a school counselor means accepting the naturally occurring neurological and social differences of autistic individuals, and refraining from treating normal autistic traits as deficits (Kuzniar, 2024).
Recommended Citation
Bauer, Emily, "The Importance of Adopting a Neurodiversity Affirming Approach: A Training for School Counselors" (2024). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 974.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/974