Special Interest Group in Neurodiversity

Representing psychologists' interests in neurodevelopment and neurodivergence within one special interest group.

Introduction and SIG Aims:

This special interest group aims to support psychologist’s clinical, research, supervision, and training practice within a neurodiversity framework.

This group provides a new, integrated platform for psychologists to conceptualise assessment, psychology support, research, and training under a broad neurodevelopment framework.

The group assumes that the term neurodiversity refers to development experienced by all people, across all areas (e.g., cognitive, social, emotional, sensory, adaptive) explored through a psychological lens. Neurodivergence or neurodevelopmental differences cover any deviation from a typical development, generally observed in behaviour resulting from differences in the processing of information, as suggested in testimonies (Bolourian, et al., 2018), as well as in functional magnetic resonance imagining (Jack, 2018).

Within a neurodiversity framework we hope to provide a space to support practitioners working with people who may experience neurodivergencies to an extent they require specialised support, those who may experience some neurodivergencies to an extent that does not meeting criteria for a neurodevelopment diagnosis, and those who may present with a largely typical developmental type. We aim to implement a whole-systems approach that delivers informed and adaptable support within the neurodiversity paradigm, appreciating that diagnostic categories are conceptual frameworks and that neurodevelopmental differences, along with individuals' needs, often present along a dynamic and continuous spectrum. With knowledge here often maintaining value even when a formal neurodevelopmental diagnosis is not applicable.

Neurodevelopmental differences described in the fifth edition Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) include autism, ADHD, obsessive compulsives, a range of specific communication differences, as well as intellectual disability and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, and finally movement needs such as dyspraxia, tics and Tourette syndrome (Ciccarelli & White, 2014). They are differentiated within the literature by their presence since the earliest stages of neural development, and general persistence throughout an individual's lifespan (APA, 2022). Within the context of a growing evidence base supporting the strong likelihood of overlap here (Gidziela, et al., 2023; Hens & Van Goidsenhoven, 2023),  neurodiversity enables practitioners to adopt a more comprehensive and nuanced approach, improving assessment and intervention by considering the full range of neurodivergent presentations rather than focusing on isolated diagnoses.

In this way, the SIG in Neurodiversity aims to address the ongoing difficulties psychologists are facing in conceptualising neurodevelopment and neurodivergence singularly, using narrow assessment and therapy pathways (e.g., an autism pathway or an ADHD pathway) as well as in providing specialist support to families within the context of neurodiversity.

SIG in Neurodiversity Values

The SIG aims to adapt and personalise PSI’s existing values:

• Evidence-based – this SIG aims to further psychological knowledge and its application in the area of neurodiversity in Ireland and around the world.
• Inclusion and Humanistic – this SIG aims to promote equal access to psychological knowledge, training, and wellbeing, taking a neuroaffirmative, respectful, and inclusive language perspective.
• Integrity – this SIG aims to always act to the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Empowerment – this SIG aims to help people, organisations, and communities reach their potential within the area of neurodiversity.
• Member focus – this SIG aims to grow membership, develop, challenge, and support members of the PSI.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING GROUP MEMBERSHIP CHARGES:

You will be charged the full membership fee upon application. Should your membership be approved, this will cover your group membership for the rest of the calendar year. Your group membership will renew automatically during the renewal period (between 01 January and 31 March), along with your general PSI membership. Please note, should your application be declined, there are no refunds for your groupapplication fee, as per PSI T&C's: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/footer/Terms-and-Conditions. Thus, please ensure to read the membership criteria very carefully before making an application to join a PSI group (div or SIG).

Special Interest Group in Neurodiversity Full Membership - €15.00

References

Bolourian Y, Zeedyk SM, Blacher J. Autism and the University Experience: Narratives from Students with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Oct;48(10):3330-3343. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3599-5. PMID: 29744704.

Jack, Allison. Neuroimaging in neurodevelopmental disorders: focus on resting-state fMRI analysis of intrinsic functional brain connectivity. Current Opinion in Neurology 31(2):p 140-148, April 2018. | DOI: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000536

Ciccarelli, S.K. and White, J.N. (2014) Psychology. 4th edn. Boston: Pearson.

APA (American Psychiatric Association) (2022) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., text rev. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. doi: 10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787.

Gidziela, A., Ahmadzadeh, Y.I., Michelini, G. et al. A meta-analysis of genetic effects associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and co-occurring conditions. Nat Hum Behav 7, 642–656 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01530-y

Hens K, Van Goidsenhoven L. Developmental diversity: Putting the development back into research about developmental conditions. Front Psychiatry. 2023 Jan 6;13:986732. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.986732. PMID: 36684021; PMCID: PMC9854343.