The focus of this guide is on how to engage and support Neurodivergent clients attending DAPPs and other interventions addressing domestic abuse perpetration.
Neurodivergence covers a broad range of different ways that people experience the world (some examples of neurodivergence include ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, traumatic brain injury, dyscalculia and Tourette’s). These forms of neurodivergence can also intersect with each other (a person may be both Autistic and have ADHD for instance), learning disabilities, mental and physical health conditions. However, research into neurodivergence remains limited11, particularly that which moves beyond the medical model (which positions neurodivergence as a disorder or a condition to be treated and is therefore rejected by many Neurodivergent people). There is also a lack of research in relation to neurodivergence in the context of domestic violence and abuse or the engagement of Neurodivergent men in domestic abuse perpetrator programmes beyond the medical model.
There are many important aspects of neurodivergence that require further research and where practitioners require fresh, inclusive guidance and some of that work is beyond the scope of this guide. This guide specifically focuses on ADHD and Autism because:
- The underlying research Dr Renehan previously undertook focused on (non-learning disabled) Autism and ADHD; it would be unethical and unhelpful to make assumptions about other aspects of neurodivergence when they have not been researched in the same way.
- Autism and ADHD raise important questions about the relational aspects of practice and how domestic abuse and neurodivergence intersect and manifest within relationships in the home.
Despite this, much of the guidance provided in this guide will benefit clients of all neurotypes.
It is important to note that the guide does not intend to provide guidance for working with learning disabled Autistic and/or ADHD individuals as these kinds of interventions are likely to require more significant adjustments to structure and content.
References
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Emerging neurodiversity-related research can be found in journals such as Neurodiversity.
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