Chapter 1
Autonomy and Consent. People should be in charge of their own support. Always let clients make their own choices and never pressure them. Many neurodivergent and LGBTIQA+ people have had bad past experiences where their identity or decisions weren’t respected, so it’s important to build trust.
Example: Kira is a non-verbal autistic woman. A support worker asks her if she has a boyfriend. Kira communicates that she’s a lesbian. The worker listens, accepts this, and doesn’t question or dismiss her. This shows respect and understanding.
Flexible and Individualised Support Plans. Everyone is different, so support plans should fit the person, not the other way around. Be flexible. Some people may need support with gender transition, while others may need help with sensory or thinking-related challenges in daily life.
Example: Jace is a transgender autistic person who finds it hard to stay organised. They need to attend hormone therapy appointments, but often forget. Their support worker helps by setting reminders and making a plan together. This support allows Jace feel more in control and less stressed.
Intersectional Mental Health Support. Some people experience more than one kind of stress. For example, someone might be both neurodivergent and LGBTIQA+. They may feel rejected easily, get burned out from masking their traits, or be more sensitive to unfair treatment. It’s important to understand how these things affect mental health.
Example: Anjali is a queer young person with ADHD. She feels intense worry when she thinks people don’t like her — this is called Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). Instead of telling her she’s just being “too sensitive,” her provider helps her understand these feelings and learn ways to cope. This makes her feel supported and seen.
