Improving Family Dynamics with Neurodiverse Children: A Pluralistic Conceptual Literature Review

Developing strong relationships with family members, specifically parents, in childhood is integral to healthy development, future relationships, and social environments. Navigating parent-child relationships with neurodiverse children can be highly nuanced. There are a range of variables that affect parent-child interactions and relationships, including parenting styles, attachment styles, and neurodiverse traits. This conceptual literature review utilizes a pluralistic approach to examining parent-child relationships, existing support models, and exploring future steps to improve these relationships. Upon analyzing the scientific literature on existing evidence-based therapy programs, several common themes emerged that appear to be associated with enhancing child and family outcomes: utilizing a strengths-based model of neurodiversity, working on communication and regulation, and integrating practices that support every family member involved in these dynamics.