Neurodivergent Populations and Mental Health: Pathways Toward Equitable, Inclusive, and Humanized Care

Mental health care for neurodivergent populations requires recognizing differences in cognitive, communicative, sensory, and behavioral functioning without reducing individuals to diagnoses or deficits. This essay aims to discuss pathways toward equitable, inclusive, and humanized care, considering institutional barriers, professional competencies, and the participation of people receiving care. A theoretical-reflective approach was adopted, drawing on scientific literature and normative documents addressing neurodiversity, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human rights, and the organization of health services. The analysis integrates the social model of disability, the person-centered approach, and the principles of psychosocial care. It argues that inequalities in access, communication difficulties, sensory overload, stigma, and fragmented care may exacerbate psychological distress and undermine continuity of care. Promising strategies include reasonable environmental accommodations, accessible communication, shared decision-making, interprofessional training, trauma-informed care, and integration across health care, education, and social assistance services. The heterogeneity of neurodivergent populations precludes uniform protocols and necessitates individualized assessments. It is concluded that humanized care depends on verifiable organizational changes, the reduction of power imbalances, and the recognition of neurodivergent people's autonomy, preferences, and rights in the ongoing development of more responsive and equitable services.