Differences Are Not Deficits

Greetings AAMFT members! I hope all enjoyed a restful, fun, and productive summer! This was a particularly hot summer in most areas of the contiguous United States (if not all over the globe!) and I hope everyone remained safe and cool.

When I learned that the September/October issue of the Family Therapy magazine (FTM) was going to focus on the topic of Neurodiversity, my first thought was, how appropriate that systemic practitioners, researchers, and academicians would have a lot to offer this field as clinicians that espouse a non-pathologizing stance in treating individuals in their socio-familial-ecological contexts.

The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities (2024 Harvard Health Publishing). As systemic practitioners, we already embrace the idea that differences are not deficits and that human systems impact the development and course of any congenital or acquired condition. And, as an Association that has well-established and integrated DEI policies, it is critical that AAMFT supports the increased acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences.

To this end, the Component and Evaluation Committee (CEC), which oversees all AAMFT’s topical and geographical interest networks (TIN/GIN) and independent affiliates (IA), recently approved the creation of a new Neurodiversity topical interest network to formally launch on January 1, 2025. Members interested in joining to learn and/or share their content expertise with this new TIN should watch for a launch announcement this fall in the AAMFT Family Therap-eNews. This new TIN will be focusing on neurodiversity from a systemic perspective which is increasingly important as research and education in this area is advancing to address the wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions and how uniquely they impact the individual’s social systems and quality of life.

I am confident that AAMFT’s talented and diverse membership that works in a variety of settings from private practice to agencies (non-profit and government), hospitals, universities, and their clinics will make sizable and significant contributions to this area of research, education, and practice through our unique systemic lens.

As the knowledge and data grow in this field of neurodiversity, it will be difficult to identify a single family that is not impacted in some way by family members with neurocognitive differences—and neurodiverse individuals will most certainly benefit from healthy families and social systems served by knowledgeable and competent systemic practitioners.  I trust the articles in this issue will be helpful in promoting healthy systems and will spark your curiosity further on this important topic!

Thank you all for being valued members of our AAMFT family!