ChecklistTeachers & therapists
Neurodivergent-affirming community guidelines
A moderation baseline for anyone running a group, club, or online space — what to remove, encourage, and mentor toward.
SupportNest Editorial
Reviewed by people in this role
Affirming spaces don't happen by accident. They're built on a clear, repeated baseline that everyone can see. Here's a starting point you can adapt.
Remove
- Medical advice without 'talk to your clinician'
- Cure-seeking pitches
- Stereotypes ('all autistic people are…')
- Inspiration porn and unsolicited 'you should just…'
Encourage
- Lived experience and honest stories
- Questions — no question is dumb
- Respectful disagreement
- Resource sharing and peer mentorship
Mentor toward
- Self-compassion over shame
- 'This is hard AND I'm not broken'
- Community over isolation
- Acceptance over cure
Flag, don't ignore, signs of crisis — and route to real support. Safety is the one thing moderation can't be relaxed about.