01/28/2026
So many of the behaviors you see in practice don’t fit neatly into one box.
What gets labeled as ADHD, autism, or trauma often reflects a shared nervous system reality—especially when sensory processing is involved. This overlap can make clinical discernment challenging, particularly when “checking out,” explosive reactions, or hyperarousal may serve very different functions depending on context and history.
This is where a nervous system–first lens becomes essential. In trauma therapy training at academy of therapy wisdom, the emphasis is on slowing down, observing patterns, and asking a different kind of question—not “What is this?” but “What does this behavior do for the nervous system?”
The visual invites us to hold both neurodivergence and trauma with care, without collapsing one into the other. It’s a reminder that affirmation, stabilization, and sensory awareness often need to come before interpretation.
At Academy of Therapy Wisdom, this kind of nuanced, embodied understanding is central to how we think about clinical practice and continuing education.
If this framework resonates with you, comment “SYSTEM” below and we’ll share a link to Linda Thai’s FREE webinar: Bottom-Up Strategies for Trauma Stabilization: A Phase-Oriented Approach.
Curious how others are navigating this overlap in their work.