IFS MasterClass Series, 2024: IFS and Neurodiversity. ASD and ADHD with Yoav Bartov

Neurodiversity is a proposed framework that argues there is intrinsic diversity in human brain function and cognition, and that certain things currently classified as mental disorders are differences and disabilities but are not necessarily pathological. The framework grew out of the autism rights movement and builds on the social model of disability, arguing that disability partly arises from societal barriers, rather than attributing disability purely to inherent deficits. It instead situates human cognitive variation in the context of biodiversity and the politics of minority groups. Some neurodiversity advocates and researchers argue that the neurodiversity paradigm is the middle ground between strong medical model and strong social model. The neurodiversity paradigm has been controversial among disability advocates, with opponents arguing it risks downplaying the suffering associated with some disabilities, and that it calls for the acceptance of things some would wish to be treated. “– Forward for the term Neurodiversity in Wikipedia.

In this workshop I am going to explain my general approach to neurodiversity, how it fits with the IFS model and examine this through an in depth look at working with clients with ASD and ADHD specifically.

I am going to explain and describe our current understanding of these two conditions and go in to details about how to us the IFS model with such clients. I am going to give case examples, answer questions and do a demonstration (either with a volunteer with ASD or ADHD or as subversion for someone with an ASD/ADHD clients).