How to facilitate neuro-inclusive mindfulness sessions!

There is significant evidence that mindfulness can be useful for those suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, however the neurodivergent brain can be negatively impacted by some mindfulness practices.

To make the mindfulness experience accessible for all your team members, attendees or participants, be aware that different people may experience mindfulness practices differently.

Avoid having a rigid approach as a mindfulness practice may have a negative or positive impact depending on the individual's neurotype.

I just attended a great webinar on ‘Practical Approaches for Neurodivergent Clients: Mindfulness for Neurodiversity’ run by the Mindful Society Global Institute and these are my key takeaways.

Design for all - not just the Neurodivergents!

Firstly, you can adopt a neurodiversity informed approach without needing to know who is neurodivergent in your audience by considering the way you set up & run the session.

Probably not a good idea to?ask ‘who here has been diagnosed as neurodivergent?’ and expect a raise of hands ??

• Not everyone wants to disclose or is comfortable to disclose their ND in the workplace
• Not everyone who is ND knows they are ND
• Many identify but don’t have a diagnosis for lots of reasons
• Everyone is completely unique & regardless of their neurotype, people experience mindfulness practices differently.

Be aware of the potential negative reactions

Be aware that practices may not be suitable for all. Some techniques may cause negative effects based on the way a brain is wired:

• Breath practices can have a suffocating effect for some & can cause shortness of breath
• Body awareness practices can be inaccessible for some with interoceptive challenges?
• Body scanning techniques can send people into a panic attack & make them feel heightened
• Synthesia means people cannot access visualisations or guided imagery practices
• Music may feel hugely overwhelming for those with auditory sensory sensitivities
• Movement may be inaccessible for those with chronic pain or gross motor challenges.

How could this awareness inform your practice?

Here are some tips:

1. Ask people in advance how you can make the experience as comfortable as possible for them. Ask what might be important for them to get the most out of the session e.g. low lighting, plenty of space, seating next to an exit, not next to a speaker etc.
2. Frame the session that we respect everyone's right to choose what they take part in, and it’s ok for everyone to make their own decision about what feels right for them. Give people permission to opt out. Never push or force anyone to do anything.
3. Provide a maximum of three options for people to choice from allowing them to take part in a mindfulness practice e.g. Visual Tool - expanding & shrinking circle on a slide, a breathing technique or, a music practice with accessible movement option (swaying, dancing, raising shoulders)
4. Provide clear, concrete and precise instructions both written in a visually simple graphic format and verbal. And be available to help explain the process for those who need more clarity. Remember some people actually like to understand and then simply watch the first time and that is perfectly ok!

If you are running workshops, offsites or team meetings and are thinking of including a mindfulness activity, I encourage you to think carefully about how to make the experience as accessible as possible. It is a highly powerful practice if the principles above are respected.

Good luck!

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