Neurodivergent affirming practice in occupational therapy: Scoping review and qualitative content analysis of the literature

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Twinley, R. (2024). Neurodivergent affirming practice in occupational therapy: Scoping review and qualitative content analysis of the literature. Neurodiversity, 2. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330241301740

Publication date: 1 Feb 2024 Added to AutiHub: 26 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)

Abstract

Background Issues pertaining to neurodiversity and neurodivergence have only begun to be commented on in the occupational therapy discourse in recent years. A seminal piece made a notable proposal for the occupational therapy profession to shift its service paradigm to develop inclusive support for neurodivergent populations; the extent and success of this were yet to be measured. Aim To examine and describe the current qualitative, conceptual/theoretical, or opinion-based literature to identify key factors related to neurodivergent-affirming (or neurodivergent-inclusive) occupational therapy practice. Methods A combination of methodological guidance were utilised: (1) Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage methodological framework, (2) Levac et al., and (3) Pollock et al. Findings were reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Qualitative content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was conducted. Findings Eight resources met the criteria for inclusion. Four key categories were identified: (1) paradigm shift and therapeutic practice approaches; (2) advocacy and empowerment; (3) understanding and embracing neurodiversity as part of ethical and collaborative practice, and (4) systemic barriers, external challenges, and social context. Conclusions/Significance Findings suggest future directions include developing holistic approaches and building evidence through further research. This study serves as a knowledge synthesis to inform future research.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 01:01.

Cited references
67
With a DOI
42
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
25
7 / 67 (10.4%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
16 / 67 (23.9%)
References with detected author names
51 / 67 (76.1%)
Without detected author names
16
Without a structured title
15
Without a stable identifier
23
References with raw author names still to review
15
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
173
From DOI or external metadata
173
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
17
29 / 173 (16.8%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 144 / 173 (83.2%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
10 / 173 (5.8%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 10 / 29 (34.5%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 10 / 148 (6.8%).
  1. Edoardo Aromataris , Dagmara Riitano (2014). Systematic Reviews . AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 114(5), 49-56. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. Hilary Arksey , Lisa O'Malley (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework . International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19-32. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Gayle J. Restall , Mary Y. Egan (2021). Collaborative Relationship-Focused Occupational Therapy: Evolving Lexicon and Practice . Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 88(3), 220-230. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. Aneta Chacala , Cathy Mccormack , Bethan Collins , Brenda L. Beagan (2014). “My view that disability is okay sometimes clashes”: experiences of two disabled occupational therapists . Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 21(2), 107-115. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Aromataris E. Munn Z. (2020). JBI manual for evidence synthesis. JBI. https://synthesismanual.jbi.global
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  6. Paul Turcotte , Mary Mathew , Lindsay Shea , Eugene Brusilovskiy , Stacy L. Nonnemacher (2016). Service Needs Across the Lifespan for Individuals with Autism . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(7), 2480. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Cindy Stern , Zoe Jordan , Alexa McArthur (2014). Developing the Review Question and Inclusion Criteria . AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 114(4), 53-56. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  8. Martijn Dekker *Autistic author. Learn more… (2020). From Exclusion to Acceptance: Independent Living on the Autistic Spectrum . In Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement (pp. 41-49). Springer Singapore.
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  9. Satu Elo , Helvi Kyngäs (2008). The qualitative content analysis process . Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107-115. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Mona Asbjørnslett , Lisebet S. Skarpaas , Linda Stigen (2023). “Being Holistic Is a Lot to Ask”: A Qualitative, Cross-National Exploration of Occupational Therapists’ Perceptions and Experiences of Holistic Practice . Occupational Therapy International, 2023, 1-10. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  11. Daryl Patrick Gamboa Yao , Michael Palapal Sy , Pauline Gail V. Martinez , Elizabeth C. Laboy (2022). Is occupational therapy an ableist health profession? A critical reflection on ableism and occupational therapy . Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30, 1. FapUNIFESP (SciELO).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network Inc. (2024). Autism Acceptance Month Kick Off: A Celebration. https://awnnetwork.org/webinars/autism-acceptance-month-kick-off-a-celebration/#:∼:text=Kassiane%20Asasumasu%20is%20a%20multiply any%20one%20of%20several%20anthologies
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  13. Cheryl Leong , Romy Graichen (2024). Decentering Neuronormativity: A Transactional Analysis Impasse Theory Perspective for Understanding ADHD Masking and Authentically Honoring the Da Vinci Archetype Within . Transactional Analysis Journal, 54(1), 91-106. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Danielle Levac , Heather Colquhoun , Kelly K O'Brien (2010). Scoping studies: advancing the methodology . Implementation Science, 5(1), 69. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. (n.d.). Azevedo F. Middleton S. Mai Phan J. Kapp S. K. Gourdon-Kanhukamwe A. Iley B. Elsherif M. M. Shaw J. J. (2022 October 31). Navigating academia as neurodivergent researchers: Promoting neurodiversity within open scholarship. Association for Psychological Science - APS. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/gs-navigating-academia-as-neurodivergent-researchers
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  16. Steven K. Kapp *Autistic author. Learn more… (2020). Introduction . In Autistic community and the neurodiversity movement (pp. 1-19). Springer Singapore.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. Heather L. Colquhoun , Danielle Levac , Kelly K. O'Brien , Sharon Straus , Andrea C. Tricco , Laure Perrier et al. (2014). Scoping reviews: time for clarity in definition, methods, and reporting . Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 67(12), 1291-1294. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Meghan G. Blaskowitz , Khalilah R. Johnson , Theodore Bergfelt , Wanda J. Mahoney (2021). Evidence to Inform Occupational Therapy Intervention With Adults With Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review . American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(3), 373-398. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Karen Whalley Hammell (2023). A call to resist occupational therapy’s promotion of ableism . Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 30(6), 745-757. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Bourgeois D. (2023). Occupational Therapists’ Role in Educating Caregivers on Pediatric Sensory Interventions Guided by Neurodiversity Principles. [Doctoral dissertation University of St Augustine for Health Sciences]. SOAR @ USA: Student Capstone Papers Collection.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  21. Micah D.J. Peters , Casey Marnie , Andrea C. Tricco , Danielle Pollock , Zachary Munn , Lyndsay Alexander et al. (2020). Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews . JBI Evidence Synthesis, 18(10), 2119-2126. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  22. Andrea C. Tricco , Erin Lillie , Wasifa Zarin , Kelly K. O'Brien , Heather Colquhoun , Danielle Levac et al. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation . Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467-473. American College of Physicians.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.7326/m18-0850 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2891378911
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Jonathan Breckon , Helen Mthiyane , Jonathan Shepherd (2019). Bodies of Evidence: How professional organisations in health, education and policing champion the use of research .
    Type: Book OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3015081490
    Crossref OpenAlex
  24. Gregor Wolbring , Aspen Lillywhite (2023). Coverage of Allies, Allyship and Disabled People: A Scoping Review . Societies, 13(11), 241. MDPI AG.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Zachary Munn , Micah D. J. Peters , Cindy Stern , Catalin Tufanaru , Alexa McArthur , Edoardo Aromataris (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach . BMC Medical Research Methodology, 18(1), 143. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Campbell F. (2023). Mapping reviews, scoping reviews, and evidence and gap maps (EGMs): The same but different— the “big picture” review family . Systematic Reviews, 12(45), 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  27. Kristie Patten (2022). Finding Our Strengths: Recognizing Professional Bias and Interrogating Systems . The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(6). SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  28. Zahava L Friedman , Jorge Ochoa , Dina Prisco , Francine M Seruya (2023). Connected Rhythm: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Drumming as an Intervention for Autistic Individuals . The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 11(4), 1-17. Western Michigan University - DIGITAL COMMONS.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Monique Craine *Autistic author. Learn more… (2020). Changing Paradigms: The Emergence of the Autism/Neurodiversity Manifesto . In Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement (pp. 255-276). Springer Singapore.
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Yu-Lun Chen , Kristie Patten (2021). Shifting Focus From Impairment to Inclusion: Expanding Occupational Therapy for Neurodivergent Students to Address School Environments . American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(3), 632-639. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Danielle Pollock , Micah D.J. Peters , Hanan Khalil , Patricia McInerney , Lyndsay Alexander , Andrea C. Tricco et al. (2023). Recommendations for the extraction, analysis, and presentation of results in scoping reviews . JBI Evidence Synthesis, 21(3), 520-532. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Aaron Dallman , Kathryn L Williams , Lauren Villa (2022). Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices are a Moral Imperative for Occupational Therapy . The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 10(2), 1-9. Western Michigan University - DIGITAL COMMONS.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Hiliary Monteith , Tracey Galloway , Anthony J Hanley (2021). Protocol for a scoping review of the qualitative literature on Indigenous infant feeding experiences . BMJ Open, 11(1), e043476. BMJ.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  34. Aaron Dallman , Kaitlyn P. Wilson , Emily Friesner (2023). Social Agency and Neurodivergent Routines: Supports and Barriers to the Mental Health of Autistic Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic . American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), 174-182. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Joaquim Radua (2021). PRISMA 2020 – An updated checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analyses . Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 124, 324-325. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. Ellen L. Davies , Lemma N. Bulto , Alison Walsh , Danielle Pollock , Vikki M. Langton , Robert E. Laing et al. (2023). Reporting and conducting patient journey mapping research in healthcare: A scoping review . Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(1), 83-100. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  37. Julia Sterman , Erin Gustafson , Lindsay Eisenmenger , Lizzie Hamm , Jules Edwards (2023). Autistic Adult Perspectives on Occupational Therapy for Autistic Children and Youth . OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 43(2), 237-244. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenCitations
  38. (n.d.). eLife. (2023 October 12). Being Neurodivergent in Academia: Why Sparks of Change is publishing stories from neurodivergent researchers. https://elifesciences.org/inside-elife/44d04224/being-neurodivergent-in-academia-why-sparks-of-change-is-publishing-stories-from-neurodivergent-researchers
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  39. Barbara Kornblau , Scott Robertson *Autistic author. Learn more… (2021). Special Issue on Occupational Therapy With Neurodivergent People . American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(3), 367-373. SAGE Publications.
    AutiHub · Autistic Autism Scholarship Project Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Lakshmi Neelakantan , Deborah Fry , Lani Florian , Franziska Meinck (2023). Adolescents’ Experiences of Participating in Sensitive Research: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Studies . Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(3), 1405-1426. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  41. Claudia Lorena García , Alejandro Vázquez-del-Mercado (2023). Epistemological issues in neurodivergence and atypical cognition: introduction . Synthese, 201(5). Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. (2020). Counselling and Psychotherapy Research . Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. Wiley.
    OpenAlex
  43. Lorna G. Hamilton , Stephanie Petty (2023). Compassionate pedagogy for neurodiversity in higher education: A conceptual analysis . Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1093290. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Daniel Glenn (2022). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities . World Futures, 78(5), 339-341. Informa UK Limited.
    OpenAlex
  45. (n.d.). Harris J. (2023 July 5). The mother of neurodiversity: How Judy Singer changed the world. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/05/the-mother-of-neurodiversity-how-judy-singer-changed-the-world
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  46. Henderson D. (2023). Is this autism?: A companion guide for diagnosing . Is this autism?: A companion guide for diagnosing.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  47. Hotez E. (2023). Developing “adulting for health": Investigating the health needs of neurodivergent emerging adults . Cureus, 15(6).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  48. Marco Carotenuto (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorders - Recent Advances and New Perspectives . IntechOpen.
    OpenAlex
  49. (n.d.). Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). (2022 August 4). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis: 11. 2. 7 Data extraction. JBI. https://jbi-global-wiki.refined.site/space/MANUAL/4687700/11 . 2. 7+Data+extraction
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  50. Jones F. (2024). Accessibility and affirmation in counselling: An exploration into neurodivergent clients’ experiences . Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 00, 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  51. (n.d.). Kirby A. (2022 January 12). Neurodiversity 101: Neurodiversity and allyship. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/neurodiversity-allyship-prof-amanda-kirby/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. Deanna Bourgeois (2023). Occupational Therapists’ Role in Educating Caregivers on Pediatric Sensory Interventions Guided by Neurodiversity Principles . University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Library.
    Type: Dissertation DOI: 10.46409/sr.ujdx3116 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4383196763
    OpenAlex
  53. Oranga J. (2023). Qualitative research: Essence, types and advantages . Open Access Library Journal, 10(12), 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  54. Page M. J. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . Bmj, 372.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  55. Royal College of Occupational Therapists. (2013). Social Model of Disability. https://www.rcot.co.uk/files/social-model-disability
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  56. Royal College of Occupational Therapists. (2019). Learning and development standards for pre-registration education: Revised edition 2019. https://www.rcot.co.uk/practice-resources/rcot-publications/learning-and-development-standards-pre-registration-education
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  57. Royal College of Occupational Therapists. (2024a). Adult neurodiversity. https://www.rcot.co.uk/adult-neurodiversity
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  58. Royal College of Occupational Therapists. (2024b). Promoting occupational therapy: Policy and public affairs. https://www.rcot.co.uk/policy-and-public-affairs
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  59. Rutherford M. (2022). Autism Spectrum Disorders - Recent Advances and New Perspectives . Autism Spectrum Disorders - Recent Advances and New Perspectives, 83.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  60. (n.d.). Twinley R. (2024 February 16). Neurodivergent Affirming Practice in Occupational Therapy: A Qualitative Scoping Review. Open Science Framework (OSF). https://osf.io/kvwht/ https://doi.org/10 . 17605/OSF. IO/wfqzh
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  61. Twinley R. (2022). Feature: Neurodiversity: Together, we remain all kinds of minds . OTnews, 3, 17.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  62. (n.d.). UK Research & Innovation. (2023 March 30). Championing research about by and for neurodivergent people. https://www.ukri.org/blog/championing-research-about-by-and-for-neurodivergent-people/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  63. Walker, Nick (2021). Neuroqueer heresies: Notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, Autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities . Neuroqueer heresies: Notes on the neurodiversity paradigm, autistic empowerment, and postnormal possibilities.
    Type: Other OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W7011697317
    Crossref