Autism & Neurodivergence

Support that honours difference instead of trying to change it

Autism and neurodivergence are not problems to solve or phases to outgrow. They are ways of experiencing the world, shaping how a person senses, processes information, connects with others, and regulates emotion.

At New Leaf Therapy, support related to autism and neurodivergence is offered through individual therapy and parent support sessions, grounded in a relational, strengths-based approach. The focus is not on changing who someone is, but on helping them feel understood, supported, and better equipped to navigate a world that expects sameness.

For many neurodivergent young people, daily life can involve a great deal of effort: masking to fit in, managing sensory overload, or pushing through expectations that don’t align with how their nervous system works. Therapy can be a place where that effort is finally acknowledged, and where new ways of relating to themselves and others can begin.

Who this support is for

This work may be helpful for:

Autistic and neurodivergent teens and young adults
Children who experience sensory overwhelm, emotional shutdown, or burnout
Youth navigating anxiety, frustration, or a sense of being “out of sync”
Parents seeking greater understanding, clearer communication, and more ease at home

Some clients come with a formal diagnosis; others do not. What matters most is how a young person is experiencing their world and how supported they feel within it.

How autism and neurodivergence often show up

Neurodivergence doesn’t look the same for everyone. It may show up as:

Difficulty with emotional regulation
Sensory sensitivities or heightened reactivity
Exhaustion from masking or social expectations
Anxiety around transitions, uncertainty, or change
Intense emotions that feel hard to name or manage
Feeling misunderstood, labelled, or frequently corrected

These experiences are not signs of failure or defiance. They are signals from a nervous system doing its best to cope in environments that may not be designed with neurodivergent needs in mind.

A relational, affirming approach to therapy

Sam’s work with neurodivergent youth is grounded in the belief that regulation comes before behaviour, and connection comes before change.

Therapy is collaborative rather than corrective. Sessions move at the client’s pace and prioritize emotional safety, curiosity, and trust. Rather than focusing on “fixing” behaviours, the work centres on understanding what those behaviours are communicating.

This approach may include:

Building language for emotions, needs, and limits
Supporting nervous system regulation
Exploring identity and self-understanding
Reducing shame and increasing self-trust
Creating strategies that respect sensory and emotional differences

Above all, therapy aims to help young people feel seen, not managed.

The role of parent support

Parent support sessions are often an important part of this work.

These sessions provide space for parents to:

Reframe behaviour through a nervous system lens
Better understand sensory and emotional needs
Explore boundaries that are both clear and compassionate
Reduce cycles of conflict and misunderstanding
Strengthen trust and connection at home

Supporting a neurodivergent child can be deeply meaningful and deeply exhausting. Parent sessions offer practical guidance alongside emotional support, helping caregivers feel more confident and less alone.

What progress can look like

Progress in this work isn’t about becoming “less autistic” or more compliant. It is quieter and more meaningful than that.

It may include:

Greater emotional awareness and regulation
Clearer communication of needs and boundaries
Fewer power struggles and less chronic tension
Increased confidence and self-acceptance
Stronger, more trusting relationships

These shifts happen over time, and at a pace that respects each individual’s nervous system and lived experience.

Taking the next step

If you’re navigating autism or neurodivergence in your family (whether as a parent or a young person yourself) you don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Click below to schedule an introductory chat.

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