Cultivating Community Connections: Neurodiversity in Action- Eamon Carr, Occupational Therapist
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working with adolescents and adults outside the stereotypical therapy room as an Occupational Therapist. These experiences have reminded me of the profound impact community engagement can have when thoughtfully facilitated and tailored to individual strengths and goals. Here, I share some insights from recent occupational therapy (OT) sessions that celebrate neurodiversity while highlighting community initiatives that make a meaningful difference.
Real-World Social Engagement: Sessions in the Local Café
One of my ongoing projects involves working with two talented autistic Emirati adults. Recently, we’ve transitioned some of our sessions to a local café, an environment brimming with opportunities for facilitated social interaction and executive functioning development. These sessions provide a safe and structured setting where my clients can practise initiating conversations, navigating transactions, and managing sensory stimuli in a busy space.
A standout moment was meeting Phil, a kind and accommodating barista, who generously shared insights into his role and some practical tips for managing a demanding workday. Observing Phil’s routines allowed my clients to connect abstract executive functioning concepts with real-life application. This approach is grounded in the principles of task analysis, which break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable components to build autonomy (Polatajko et al., 2007).
Teenovation: A Hub of Inclusion
Another highlight was attending an ice-skating activity hosted by Teenovation, an inclusive initiative designed for teenagers. The vibrant atmosphere, combined with the warm welcome from the founder, demonstrated the power of inclusive spaces. Teenovation’s ethos—celebrating diversity and cultivating potential—resonates deeply with neuroaffirmative OT practices. Such spaces encourage adolescents to explore their passions, develop skills, and build relationships, fostering both self-esteem and community belonging (Dunn et al., 2016).
Heroes of Hope: Building Confidence Through Sport
One of the most rewarding experiences was attending a gym session with Heroes of Hope, a non-profit organisation founded by Hollie Murphy to support People of Determination (PODs). The session was pivotal for one of my adult clients, who was exploring meaningful leisure pursuits. Since that first session in September 2024, he has independently attended two sessions weekly, and participating in structured sports activities has boosted his confidence while allowing him to connect with others in a shared endeavor.
This client has also excelled at some recent tournaments facilitated by Heroes of Hope throughout the UAE. By providing elite and competitive sporting opportunities, the programme shifts societal perceptions and promotes inclusion. Regular participation in such activities not only enhances physical fitness but also nurtures interpersonal and coping skills, aligning with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (AOTA, 2020).
Celebrating Community
As practitioners, we have the unique privilege of walking alongside our clients as they discover their potential and build meaningful connections.
Together, with community allies, we can shape environments where neurodiversity is accepted and celebrated. Let’s keep the momentum going—there’s so much more we can achieve, together.
- American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Supplement_2).
- Ayres, A. J. (2005). Sensory Integration and the Child. Western Psychological Services.
- Dunn, W., Brown, C., & McGuigan, A. (2016). The Ecology of Human Performance Framework: A model for identifying and designing appropriate environments. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48(7), 595-607.
- Kielhofner, G. (2008). Model of Human Occupation: Theory and Application (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9-23.
- Townsend, E., & Polatajko, H. (2007). Enabling occupation II: Advancing an occupational therapy vision for health, well-being, & justice through occupation. Ottawa: CAOT Publishers.
