Are you wondering if you have ADHD or Autism? Or maybe you already have a diagnosis or self-identify as an ADH(D)er or Autistic person. Wherever you are in your journey and however you identify, if you have wondered how therapy might help with your ADH(D) and Autistic experiences, this blog post is for you.
In this post, Stacey, an ADH(D)er and therapist, will share her therapy framework, R.I.S.E., for supporting people in their journey with ADH(D) and Autism. She will explain how the framework was developed, what the framework is, its four themes and two guiding principles, and how it may be helpful for you.
First, A Note on Terms
You may notice that the (D) in ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are put in brackets. This is done to affirm that you can choose to see ADH(D) and AS(D) as a natural part of the diversity of human experience, rather than a “disorder”. The D is left to affirm that you can also choose to see it as a disorder or a disability, affirming the challenges it or society places on you. Finally, the term Neurodivergent (ND) is used to denote some of the shared experiences of ADH(D)ers and Autistic people and Neurokin is used to denote people who have the same type of neurodivergence as you.
How was the R.I.S.E. Framework Developed?
Being an ADH(D)er, I have strong pattern recognition skills (maybe you relate!). In my journey, with my ADH(D) and in supporting clients, I noticed a few themes emerge over and over. These themes appeared essential in a journey towards acceptance of ourselves and working successfully with our neurodivergent brains. Over time, I refined the themes and the R.I.S.E. framework was born. As such, I see the framework as an expression of the joint wisdom between my clients and myself, and I am immensely grateful for the wisdom clients have shared with me along the way.
What is the R.I.S.E. Framework?
The R.I.S.E. framework outlines the four themes using the acronym R.I.S.E and the two guiding principles, Wisdom and Agency. The acronym R.I.S.E. stands for…
R.- Recognition & Recognize
I.- Identity & Identify
S.- Support & Strategies
E.- Empowerment & Experiment
These themes can be explored one at a time or simultaneously (embracing the ND strength of lateral thinking). Often the themes are moved through from R. to E.; however, there also tends to be fluidity as work in one theme evokes insight and change in another. Through the work, the guiding principles of Wisdom and Agency are honoured by prioritizing your sense of what you need and your right to choice.
Recognition & Recognize
The Recognition & Recognize theme is about noticing our experience and can involve….
- Normalizing the experience of ADH(D) or AS(D) so we know that we make sense
- Recognizing the stigma and misinformation that may have been placed upon us
- Acknowledging our resilience, strengths, and challenges
Identity & Identify
The Identity & Identify theme is about embracing our neurodivergence and can involve…
- Unhooking from internalized ableism (pressure to act neurotypically)
- Creating a prideful identity and personal meaning about our neurodivergence
- Unmasking our neurodivergence when and where we feel safe to do so
Support & Strategies
The Support & Strategies theme is about exploring support and can involve…
- Finding our safe community, which may include our neurokin (fellow ND people)
- Exploring if and how we want to adjust our environment to support us
- Exploring if and how we want to use our strengths and find strategies to support us
Empowerment & Experiment
The Empowerment & Experiment theme is about taking action and can involve…
- Experimenting with applying the supports and strategies we have identified
- Reclaiming our agency and taking bold action toward our life goals
- Celebrating our neurodiversity and expressing that in a personally meaningful way
The Guiding Principles: Wisdom & Agency
You may have noticed that in the centre of the diagram are the words Wisdom and Agency. First, this represents that throughout the process your wisdom is the guiding compass for our work. I hold trust that you know what you need and as such I aim to listen to your wisdom. Second, it represents that throughout the process you have agency. You can say yes, no, maybe, slow down, pause, stop, or so on. I aim to affirm your fundamental right to choose. As such, both these words are placed at the centre of the diagram so that they are held with the utmost importance and respect.
How Might it Help Me?
In using this framework, I have noticed that working with the R. and I. themes seems to lessen the load of internalized ableism, stigma, shame and masking. When this is lessened, there may be more space and energy to do the tasks of daily life. Further, if daily tasks continue to be challenging, exploring the S. and E. themes may help to identify affirming ways to support yourself or receive support. Finally, holding wisdom and agency as the guiding principles affirms your right to choose and honours your many strengths. This may offer an experience that contrasts the common experience of being overpowered, unheard and undervalued as a neurodivergent person. When we have experiences that affirm us we learn on a deep level that we deserve being affirmed. This can then support us to say no, walk away, or not take it in, when our value and agency are denied by societal systems or others.
Next Steps
If the R.I.S.E. framework is resonating with you and you sense it may help you, feel free to book a free 20-minute consult with Stacey. In the consult, we will briefly discuss what you are looking for, Stacey will share about bit more about herself, and you will have to opportunity to ask questions.