Differences, Not Deficits: Embracing Neurodiversity (Podcast)

At least 20% of the U.S. population fall within a neurodivergent category, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and sensory processing disorders.

“Thinking of the term neurodivergent, it just speaks that all brains are different, and everybody has different ways of thinking. No two of us process information the same way, and no two of us react to certain situations in the same way,” says Travis Haycook, MEd, assistant director of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Autism Development Solutions.

It’s important for healthcare organizations to provide individualized care to patients who are neurodivergent, as well as embrace caregivers who identify as neurodivergent.

“It’s that understanding and acceptance of each other,” says Lori Matich, MSN, RN, senior director of nursing at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. “And I think that takes us across the whole spectrum of being accepting and inclusive of everyone that we care for and everyone that we work with.”

In this episode of Cleveland Clinic’s Nurse Essentials podcast, Haycook and Matich discuss neurodiversity, including:

• How healthcare settings may affect patients who are neurodivergent
• How caregivers can assess and accommodate patients with sensitivities
• Understanding and overcoming bias in caring for patients with neurodivergence
• Verbal and non-verbal approaches that build trust with patients and their families
• A project at Tradition Hospital to provide tools and resources for caregivers and patients, including sensory carts in emergency departments and ambulatory pediatric offices

Click the podcast player above to listen to the episode now, or read on for a short, edited excerpt. Check out more Nurse Essentials episodes at my.clevelandclinic.org/podcasts/nurse-essentials or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast excerpt

Podcast host Carol Pehotsky, DNP, RN, NEA-BC: When we're walking into any patient encounter, sometimes it's hard to check our non-verbals at the door. What are some things we can do to help build trust?

Haycook: I think it starts with the approach. You don't want to approach [neurodivergent] individuals too quickly. You don't want to approach them from the side or the back, where you startle them maybe. Have them see you coming.

Talking to the caregivers who might be with the patient is very important to find out any information that might be pertinent to that situation. If you have items that you're going to offer them – maybe as calming items – I would have them visually out there, that they can see it instead of just bombarding them with a whole tub of something. Maybe have a larger picture menu of things, and they can point to what they might want to investigate more. Fidget spinners might be something that one of our individuals really loves. Fidget spinners may not be. So, I think that is helpful.

And also, using clear language, using less language, not using any jargon, being more direct in a level that you're using a few words. A lot of times some of the best ways to communicate to somebody if you want them to stand up is to say, "Stand up." Things like that. Approaching it at that level is very helpful.

Be aware of things that might be in the room. Be aware of the environment. Is it too warm? Is it too cold? Is there a fan on? Is it blowing right on the patient? Is the fan making it colder? Is the fan making a different noise? Being aware of those types of things.

Also, as a caregiver, paying attention to the patient. Watch what they're doing. What are they looking at? What are they orienting to while you're in there? Is there something that's piqued their interest? Watch how they're looking at you. Are you doing things with your hands that's making them look to you that might be frightening them?

Things like that. Just being more aware of our place in the space around the patient is helpful.