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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

If you have ever made a mistake, raise your hand (Hint: All hands should be raised). If you learned from your mistake, raise your hand (Hint: All hands should be raised). If your mistakes have helped shape you as a person, raise your hand (Hint: All hands should be raised). Unfortunately, neurodiverse individuals are rarely given that right. In my work in group homes, I often see staff/caregivers/guardians put restrictions in place so that the individual in their care does not make a mistake. I think we do it with good intentions, we don’t want to see them hurt or sick or sad. But, in taking away their right to make a mistake, we are also taking away their right to be human.

According to Chris Lyons (an attorney who services individuals with disabilities), the right to make a mistake is important “ because it is at the core of our human dignity. I suggest to you that that which makes us most human is our ability to enjoy our successes by having the ability to own our own failures. It is that contrast, that yin and yang if you will, of human nature that allows us to truly be a person.” Self-Advocate, Max Barrows, expands on this when he talks to service providers and says, “Please don’t protect us too much or at all from living our lives. We are going to have to encounter failures through decisions that we make… it’s really the number one way of learning of where lines are drawn and also it helps with learning yourself. The dignity of risk is one of many opportunities that people with disabilities deserve to have.”

I’m not suggesting we throw caution to the wind and let all hell break loose. But I am suggesting that we ask ourselves “Is a nondisabled person allowed to do this?” If you had a stressful day at work and you want to eat a dozen donuts, you are allowed to. You are still allowed to eat a dozen donuts even if your doctor has advised against it. You are still allowed to eat a dozen donuts even if you should be saving your money for something different. You are allowed to make that mistake.

Would a nondisabled person be allowed to:

• Eat Burger King everyday for lunch? YES
• Drink lots of soda instead of water? YES
• Get a tattoo? YES
• Buy lottery tickets? YES
• Get a piercing? YES
• Skip medication? YES
• Pick who they want to date? YES
• Have a dirty room? YES

Later posts will talk about how to use antecedent interventions and client motivation to still teach while respecting an individual’s values.

Resources:

Youtube Video: Self-Determination: “Dignity of Risk”

Youtube Video: UVM Center on Disability and Community Inclusion

Youtube Video: Supporting a Resident’s Dignity of Risk

Article: “Balancing the Right to Habilitation with the Right to Personal Liberties: The Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities to Eat Too Many Donuts and Take a Nap” by Bannerman, Sheldon, Sherman and Harchik; Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 1990)