Neurodiversity is definitely the new buzz word. This could be a good thing because it shows more people are becoming educated/accepting of differences. But it could also be a bad thing as more and more people use the word without actually changing their behaviors.
Being a neurodiverse affirming therapist means that I am getting out of my comfort zone. The first thing I learned when trying to become more neurodiverse affirming is that I needed to put myself in spaces where I was not seen as the expert. This meant going to groups led by neurodiverse individuals, listening, learning and correcting my behaviors and actions.
In my efforts to expand my knowledge I came across “The Checklist of Neurotypical Privilege”. The original list (found here) contains 50 items, but these are the ones that I really resonated with me.
- I can assume that police officers will not become alarmed at my natural body language and find it necessary to subdue me in advance of any wrongdoing.
- I do not have to carry a special card or bracelet with me to explain my natural body movements or the sounds I naturally make.
- I do not have to fear that important decisions about my life will be made by others who are considered more qualified based on their neurology.
- People do not constantly tell me that I need to work on the things which I am very bad at, at the expense of things which I am good at and enjoy doing.
- If I have a particular talent or ability, I can demonstrate that talent without being called an “idiot savant” or my talent being called a “splinter skill” or some other demeaning word.
For each of the bullets above I have had a client who has experienced this exact thing. I have clients who have had the cops called on them because they were pacing back and forth in a grocery store. (Needless to say, this was extremely traumatizing for my client). Unfortunately, I often recommend having a special card or bracelet for just this reason. If the police show up, my client is stressed and is not able to explain themselves well. A card is a simple way to help with that. But, at the same time, a little demeaning.
I was reading an article about ADHD and the article talked about how some individuals with ADHD can become hyper-focused on things that really interest them. All too often, we see this is a detriment for the neurodiverse individual when we would see it as a benefit for a neurotypical person. For instance, if a neurosurgeon spends hours a day reading about the brain and practicing movements needed in surgery we would applaud that individual for being so dedicated. If an author locked themselves in their room until they finished writing a chapter we would admire their commitment. Do we offer neurodiverse individuals that same acceptance? I know that in the past I haven’t. My personal goal is to change the way I view interests and “obsessions”.
References: Neurotypical Privilege Checklist