ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new approach to supporting the neurodivergent community focuses on helping people thrive on their own terms.
Neurodivergent is used to describe people whose brains process information, learn, and behave differently from other people, while it also encompasses conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, among others.
What You Need To Know
St. Petersburg doctor creates program to help neurodivergent thrive on their own terms
Empowerment-focused support provided by a multidisciplinary and holistic team
Method promotes developing personal strengths
The official grand opening for Neurodivergent Empowerment Institute was held in December
Dr. Angela Fisher founded the Neurodivergent Empowerment Institute in St. Petersburg.
“Most of the community has to get pieces of their treatment from a multitude of different places, and you don’t have to go to a multitude of different places,” said Fisher.
A multidisciplinary team made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists specializing in music and art, and occupational therapies and a holistic team provides support both in-person and virtually.
Fisher says the foundation of the program is based on three pillars: validation, acceptance, and nurture.
“We’re looking at validating, yes, you might be unique in some way. That’s OK, it’s not broken,” said Fisher. “Accepting that you might be unique in some way. The nurture aspect is actually learning to be happy with and to nurture ourselves instead of pushing ourselves to be different from what we are.”
Diagnosed with autism and ADHD, 8-year-old Goldie Lenerz has been receiving support at NEI for about a year.
Part of Goldie’s support at NEI includes participating in music and art therapy.
“I like that I kind of get to draw whatever I want,” Goldie said while drawing a cartoon character.
“We really treat it on an individual basis where we are seeing the child, the adult, whoever it is, their strengths, their unique gifts, what makes them them, and really enhancing that and really starting to empower them to explore their uniqueness,” said recreation therapist Alli Williams.
“We’ve been working on emotional expression,” said music therapist Abby Hagan.
Goldie’s parents say they are seeing a difference in their daughter.
“They’re trying to help her build skills with her unique brain, so she can navigate the world in her own way,” said Rachel Lenerz, Goldie’s mother.
“To see like a huge turnaround, you know, since treatment started. With her attitude to school or her being able to do homework and get it done in a timely manner and feel confident,” said Goldie’s father, Chris Lenerz.
That kind of turnaround is the mission of the new institute.
“I’ve seen people come out of burnout,” said Fisher. “I’ve seen people be able to work where they weren’t able to work before. I’ve seen a lot of children excel in school where they were getting kicked out or having to be homeschooled.”
An official grand opening for the Neurodivergent Empowerment Institute was held in December.