Affirming Care

Affirming & Trauma Informed

Tending to the needs of neurodivergent and LGBTQIA individuals requires an extra layer of care, as they are vulnerable to being ignored, brushed off, and treated poorly by medical professionals. It is essential that healthcare be tailored to each individual, with an understanding of their social, emotional, sensory, sexual, and gender specific needs. What does this look like in practice?

• Specific checklists and surveys during booking and intake to ensure that sensory needs are accommodated.

• Detailed trauma and mental health surveys to inform healthcare decisions and make appropriate specialist referrals when needed.

• Intake questions regarding biological sex, gender presentation, and gender identity.

• Longer visits for extra processing time and questions.

• Trauma-informed physical exams with adequate discussion and preparation

Neurodivergent Health

There can often be significant overlap between neurodivergence and chronic health problems. Mitigating this risk and improving any current problems starts with assessing home environment, school/work environments, support systems, stress levels, sensory needs, self-care, and diet. This approach starts from the ground up to set you up for success and improve your quality of life. A consultation involves all of the above, plus:

• Full physical health assessment

• Orders for lab work

• Medication and supplement review (with referral to specialists as needed)

• Referrals to Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy as needed

• Referrals to mental health professionals as needed.

• Sensory needs and self-care checklist

LGBTQIA Specific Health

Individuals identifying as LGBTQIA need and deserve care that is affirming, nonjudgmental, and safe, as well as understanding of their unique situations. This takes into account:

• Biological sex vs gender identity

• Unique fertility needs

• Navigating pregnancy for same sex partners or queer partners

• Options for private pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum education

• Special attention to mental health and specialist referrals as needed.