3 things I love about being Neurodivergent
I am not one to shy away from talking about the difficult bits of neurodiversity; the uphill struggle of accessing support, work, social worlds or even a diagnosis in the first place. In the last few years, being neurodivergent and later diagnosed, feels like being political cannon fodder.
However, that doesn't mean there are not good bits. This neurodiversity celebration week, I want to share some of mine with you! Here are 3 things I love about being neurodivergent:
Seeing my friends and family be more “them”
I'm in the really lucky position that the majority of those close to me are neurodivergent, or know and love a neurodivergent person. My journey wasn't just mine, but is reflected in my close family and friends and has ultimately led to a lot of good in my life and theirs.
As I have become more at ease and confident in myself, I have also been able to see those I care about most learn to navigate all the things that make their lives better. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure in my work and social life, to get to watch people learn that they are not their difficulties, and that there is a better way for them to live. As their truest selves.
Being a bit of a nerd about something
Growing up neurodivergent and female, like many others, I distinctly remember trying my hardest to hide any of my less socially acceptable interests, to the point that I would often avoid having them at all.
As an adult, I have found engaging in my interests to be a lifeline that I don't think I would experience the same way without being neurodivergent. Equally, I find it to be an amazing and neurodivergent friendly way to engage with friends and peers.
There is something wonderful about listening to your friends, family or a partner talk about something they truly love.
This has led to so many wonderful social opportunities I cherish, and trying new things I never would have done without my peers' special interests. Their enthusiasm led me to reading new books, playing new games, trying new foods and going to new places and finding new favourites
Something I once felt ashamed over having, is now a core part of my wellbeing and routine. Whether it be my interests, or others, I will always be glad that part of autism often means having more intense interests and fascinations.
Learning about sensory processing.
Do I love having sensory issues? No. But learning about them, and teaching others about them as a trainer has been so illuminating.
Learning how to help with the trickier elements of my own sensory differences has helped a lot.
But maybe more importantly, learning about sensory joy has changed the game for me. Being able to see my differences not just as a difficulty, but also as something that can bring me calm, variety and most of all an actionable change to my life, has been huge.
If you have come to one of my sessions you know, I will use sensory aids and stim while I practically shout (not literally, no sudden loud noises in the webinars I promise) about how important knowing our own sensory worlds is. For neurodivergent people, but especially autistic folks, our sensory worlds are the foundations of meeting our needs, and that couldn't be more true for me.
One could say that sensory differences have become a little bit of a special interest in the last few years!
Check out our latest sensory resources here: What are the senses? Infographic
This neurodiversity celebration week, we want to hear what you love about being neurodivergent. We know that it's not about the good outweighing the difficult stuff, it's about championing differences and learning to support different minds and ways of being. So comment below and let us know!
