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Ergodivergence Model

Ergodivergence is a clinical model in occupational therapy that conceptualizes the functioning of neurodivergent individuals as fundamentally variable, dependent on their internal state (energetic, neurophysiological, and emotional). It proposes a dynamic approach where intervention is continuously adjusted according to the individual's actual capacity at any given time, in order to support appropriate, realistic, and sustainable occupational participation.

 

Please note that since the model is still under active development, it is currently only available in English. Thank you for your understanding.

Modèle ergodivergence

The stages of the Ergodivergence model

The Ergodivergence model offers a dynamic way of understanding human functioning and adapting interventions according to what is actually accessible in the present moment. Each stage represents a different need.

The goal is not to move forward as quickly as possible, but to work from what is currently sustainable for the person.

🔴 Stabilisation

“I am safe enough to function.”

At this stage, the person is often in a state of overload, exhaustion, hypervigilance, or feeling overwhelmed. Daily life can seem difficult to manage, even for basic tasks.

 

The goal is not yet performance or major changes, but rather:

  • reduce the overload;

  • reduce the requirements;

  • to regain a minimum of predictability;

  • gently reintroduce certain reference points;

  • and rebuild a sense of physical, emotional or sensory security.

 

The work may include the environment, pace of life, recovery, sensory needs, sleep, energy management, or identifying sources of overload.

🟠 Activation

“I am capable of starting.”

Here, the difficulty often revolves around initiation: starting a task, maintaining momentum, or taking action despite fatigue, overload, or executive functions.

The person may know what to do… but be unable to get started.

 

The objective then becomes:

  • reduce friction;

  • make tasks more accessible;

  • use micro-steps;

  • to support initiation;

  • create more realistic success loops;

  • and reduce the mental load associated with the action.

 

The approach often focuses on concrete action, flexibility, the interests of the individual, the environment, and strategies that are more sustainable than simple “discipline”.

🟡 Régulation

“I can move forward without exhausting myself.”

At this stage, the person is better able to function, but the energy cost may remain very high.

 

Some people may alternate between:

  • hyperfunctioning;

  • periods of exhaustion;

  • difficulty stopping;

  • exceeding limits;

  • or “crash” cycles.

 

The goal is therefore to develop a better capacity to:

  • recognize the body's signals;

  • identify the limits before the overflow;

  • adjust the pace;

  • incorporate recovery periods;

  • and build a more stable and sustainable long-term operation.

 

Work around pacing, recovery, and body awareness often becomes central.

🟢 Integration

“I can function in real life.”

Here, the strategies begin to translate into real-life, everyday situations.

 

The person develops greater flexibility to:

  • adapt your routines;

  • navigating unforeseen circumstances;

  • manage different environments;

  • maintain certain habits;

  • and use the strategies in various life contexts.

 

The work is no longer limited to targeted sessions or exercises, but is gradually integrated:

  • at work;

  • to studies;

  • to relationships;

  • to leisure activities;

  • and to overall day-to-day operations.

 

The goal is to build a system that is more realistic, flexible and compatible with real life.

🔵 Consolidation

“I can adjust myself.”

At this stage, the person develops greater autonomy in understanding their own functioning.

 

She gradually becomes more capable:

  • to identify its needs;

  • to recognize the signs of overload;

  • to adjust its strategies;

  • to prevent certain relapses;

  • and to modify its environment or pace when necessary.

 

The way things work often becomes less about constant compensation and more about a better understanding of oneself, one's limits and real needs.

 

The goal is not to achieve “perfect” functioning, but to develop a more sustainable capacity for adaptation, adjustment and self-management on a daily basis.

Important

Human functioning is neither fixed nor linear.

 

The same person can find themselves in different stages depending on the context, environment, available energy level, or current demands. It is also normal for these stages to fluctuate over time.

 

The goal of the model is therefore not to achieve a “perfect” functioning, but to better understand what really influences daily life in order to adapt interventions in a more realistic, flexible and humane way.

The everyday areas

Human functioning is not uniform across all spheres of life.

 

For example, a person may successfully maintain work or studies while experiencing major difficulties with domestic tasks, leisure, or social relationships. Conversely, certain activities may remain accessible and energizing despite significant difficulties in other domains.

 

The Ergodivergence model therefore proposes observing functioning across different domains of daily life, such as:

  • personal care;

  • daily living and domestic life;

  • productivity (work, studies, responsibilities);

  • leisure and interests;

  • social and relational life.

 

Each domain may evolve differently depending on:

  • available energy;

  • environmental demands;

  • mental load;

  • pain or fatigue;

  • perceived safety;

  • the person’s interests;

  • or the strategies currently accessible.

 

A person may therefore exist in different stages depending on the occupation being observed. For example, someone may be more in integration at work while still being in stabilization in the management of home life.

 

This perspective allows for a more nuanced and realistic understanding of human  functioning, avoiding reducing a person to a single “global” capacity to function.

Exemple de domaines d'occupation

Clinical Intervention Framework

Modèle d'intervention pour les cliniciens

The Ergodivergence model also proposes a clinical reflection framework aimed at helping therapists better understand what is happening during a session and adjust interventions according to what is truly accessible for the person.

 

The goal is not only to observe visible behavior, but also to better understand:

  • the person’s current state;

  • the context in which the difficulty appears;

  • recurring patterns;

  • and the possible function of the observed behavior.

1. Observation

Intervention begins with a broader observation of functioning in the present moment. The model encourages observation of:

  • physical, emotional, or sensory state;

  • observable behaviors;

  • recurring patterns;

  • environmental context;

  • as well as the potential function of the behavior.

 

The goal is to move beyond interpretations based solely on motivation, collaboration, or visible performance. For example:

  • avoiding a task may sometimes be related to overload;

  • agitation may serve a regulatory function;

  • stopping an activity may represent an attempt at protection rather than
    lack of interest.

2. Interpretation

Once observations are gathered, the model proposes reflecting on what the behavior may be attempting to manage or regulate.

 

A central question becomes: Is the observed behavior:

  • a form of avoidance?  or

  • an attempt at regulation?

 

This distinction greatly influences the direction of intervention. The model also introduces the concept of productive avoidance: certain avoidance strategies may sometimes represent a temporarily useful adaptation allowing the person to preserve functioning, recover, or avoid significant overwhelm.

3. Clinical Decision

The therapist then reflects on the person’s current capacity rather than the theoretically “ideal” direction.

 

The model proposes three broad options:

  • Continue: when the demand appears accessible and sustainable;

  • Adapt: when modifications are necessary;

  • Temporarily regress: when the current level exceeds the capacities
    available in the moment.

 

This regression is not viewed as failure, but rather as a clinical adjustment aimed at preserving long-term functioning.

4. Goal

Goals are then adjusted according to:

  • the life domain involved;

  • the current stage within the model;

  • and the real level of accessible functioning.

 

The objective is not only to increase performance, but also to:

  • reduce task cost;

  • improve recovery;

  • support regulation;

  • promote transfer into real life;

  • and develop more sustainable functioning.

5. Action

Interventions then aim to “close the loop” in a realistic and accessible way.

 

This may include:

  • micro-actions;

  • environmental adaptations;

  • regulation strategies;

  • pacing modifications;

  • meaningful activities;

  • or adjustments in expectations and demands.

 

Intervention is conceptualized as a flexible process rather than a rigid protocol.

6. Évaluation

The model finally proposes evaluating not only the visible outcome, but also:

  • energetic cost;

  • recovery;

  • stability over time;

  • transferability into daily life;

  • and possible fluctuations.

 

Variations in functioning are not automatically interpreted as failures or relapses.

 

The model recognizes that human functioning naturally fluctuates according to:

  • environment;

  • fatigue;

  • pain;

  • overload;

  • demands;

  • and many other factors.

 

Evaluation therefore allows intervention to be continuously adjusted so that it remains realistic, flexible, and adapted to the person’s real context.

Criteria for Progression Between Stages

The Ergodivergence model also proposes clinical markers that may help observe the evolution of functioning over time.

 

These criteria are not meant to rigidly “classify” a person, but rather to support clinical reasoning and guide intervention adjustments according to what becomes progressively more accessible and sustainable.

 

Progression from one stage to another is therefore not based solely on visible performance, but also on:

  • energetic cost;

  • recovery;

  • tolerance;

  • stability of functioning;

  • and adaptive capacity across different contexts.

Main Elements Observed

Contact With the Task

Capacity to engage with an activity and remain involved without immediate overload, major shutdown, or rapid avoidance.

 

The model notably considers:

  • duration of possible engagement;

  • level of task demand;

  • presence of distress or overload;

  • and the necessity of external support.

Initiation and Completion

Capacity to begin, continue, and complete a task in a realistic and sustainable manner.

 

Observation may include:

  • spontaneous or assisted initiation;

  • ability to maintain action;

  • frequent interruptions;

  • post-effort cost;

  • and the need for adaptations or support.

Recovery Capacity

Time and energy required to recover after physical, cognitive, emotional, or sensory activity.

 

The model considers:

  • the presence of crashes or post-exertional exhaustion;

  • recovery duration;

  • impact on other occupations;

  • and stability of functioning following activity.

Body Awareness

Capacity to recognize internal bodily signals before reaching a significant level of overload or dysregulation.

 

This may include:

  • fatigue;

  • tension;

  • pain;

  • sensory overload;

  • agitation;

  • or early warning signs of overwhelm.

Tolerance

Capacity to tolerate a certain level of:

  • effort;

  • discomfort;

  • stress;

  • sensory stimulation;

  • variability;

  • or uncertainty;

while maintaining a relatively sustainable level of functioning.

A non-linear progression

The progression through the stages is not always constant or predictable.

 

A person may:

  • progress in certain domains;

  • fluctuate depending on their environment;

  • need to temporarily return to stabilization strategies;

  • or function differently depending on the level of daily demands.

 

These fluctuations are not necessarily failures or regressions. They are part of real human functioning and the ongoing adjustments required to maintain a more sustainable balance.

Example of Clinical Application of the Model

Exemple pour chaque stades dans un domaine d'occupation

The Ergodivergence model can be used to better understand why certain interventions may succeed in one context but become difficult to maintain in real life.

​

For example, a person may appear capable of completing tasks successfully during therapy sessions while still experiencing significant difficulty initiating, sustaining, or recovering from those same tasks at home.

Observation

The therapist observes:

  • the current state;

  • behaviors;

  • patterns;

  • context;

  • and nervous system responses.

​

The goal is to understand what is truly influencing functioning in the present moment.

Interpretation

The model then seeks to identify what is truly creating the difficulty:

  • overload;

  • initiation difficulties;

  • regulation challenges;

  • transfer difficulties;

  • or the need for adaptation.

​

Two similar behaviors may have very different underlying causes.

Decision

The intervention is then adjusted according to the person’s available capacity:

  • continue;

  • adapt;

  • or temporarily regress.

​

The goal is to preserve sustainable functioning rather than push beyond limits.

Goal

Goals change depending on the stage:

  • tolerating the task;

  • initiating;

  • slowing down before a crash;

  • transferring strategies into daily life;

  • or developing autonomy.

Action

Interventions use small, concrete experiments:

  • micro-tasks;

  • adaptations;

  • pacing;

  • initiation support;

  • real-life contextual trials.

Evaluation

The model evaluates:

  • task completion;

  • energetic cost;

  • recovery;

  • transferability;

  • and fluctuations in functioning.

​

The goal is not perfection, but a way of functioning that is more realistic, flexible, and sustainable.

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