Neurodivergence Journey

*Note: This page was written as part of our celebrations for Neurodiversity Week 2023.

Neurodiversity Week 2023: The Hero’s Journey of Neurodivergence Self-Acceptance

During Neurodiversity Week we have shared with students, teachers, and our broader community, information that has hopefully helped us all move towards having a better understanding and appreciation for neurodiversity.

On Monday we shared resources that help people identify their strengths. Tuesday was all about informative podcasts that promote neurodivergent affirming perspectives and effective supports for the challenges. Wednesday explored executive skill development for tasks including planning into the future, prioritising, time management, and more. Thursday delved into the importance of self-advocacy, and today we are reflecting on the journey towards acceptance and valuing of neurodiversity. 

This neurodiversity affirming perspective can be seen in the February release of the “National Guideline for Supporting the Learning, Participation, and Wellbeing of Autistic Children and their Families”. One of its guiding principles is being Neurodiversity Affirming. This is expressed as “Neurodiversity is the idea that some brains work differently and this is ok. Supports for autistic children should: respect neurodiversity, respect that each child is unique, and not try to ‘cure’ autism”.

Other types of neurodivergence including ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, giftedness, and more are being better understood for the value that is brought to the world. Here are some recognisable names who credit their neurodivergence as contributing to their success: Emma Watson, Justin Timberlake, Hannah Gadsby, Simone Biles, Scott Kelly, Greta Thunberg, Clementine Ford, Grace Tame, Richard Branson, Ingvar Kamprad, Bill Gates, James Dyson, Chloe Hayden, Maggie Aderin Pocock, and Billie Eilish. Our world would not be the same without neurodivergence.

This whole shift in perspective on neurodiversity can be referred to as the ‘neurodiversity paradigm’. Nick Walker is an academic at the California Institute of Integral Studies; she is neurodivergent and writes on the topic. She describes the neurodiversity paradigm as a specific perspective or approach that boils down to these fundamental principles:

“1.) Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of human diversity.

2.) The idea that there is one “normal” or “healthy” type of brain or mind, or one “right” style of neurocognitive functioning, is a culturally constructed fiction, no more valid (and no more conducive to a healthy society or to the overall well-being of humanity) than the idea that there is one “normal” or “right” ethnicity, gender, or culture.

3.) The social dynamics that manifest in regard to neurodiversity are similar to the social dynamics that manifest in regard to other forms of human diversity (e.g., diversity of ethnicity, gender, or culture). These dynamics include the dynamics of social power inequalities, and also the dynamics by which diversity, when embraced, acts as a source of creative potential” (Walker). 

When neurodiversity is explained in this way, it can be seen as a big shift. Discovering that you are neurodivergent, or have neurodivergent family or friends, can be quite a journey for many people. It can have challenges, and also the discovery of strengths and value. Katy Higgins Lee is a therapist with a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, she is also a neurodiversity advocate. Katy’s blogpost “The Hero’s Journey of Neurodivergence Self-Acceptance” is an interesting prompt to think about the possible stages of this journey. 

For a person learning about their neurodivergence, it has the possibility of opening up avenues of self-understanding, self-acceptance, and in time the possibility of finding and valuing strengths within themself that are born of their characteristics as a neurodivergent individual. Yes neurodivergent people may have challenges, they may be significant, and at times they may be a result of living and trying to work within a society designed for neurotypicals.  

While it can be a bumpy ride, for a person learning about their neurodivergence, this has the possibility of opening up avenues of self-understanding, self-acceptance, and in time the possibility of finding and valuing great strengths within themself that are born of their characteristics as a neurodivergent individual. It can also be reassuring that they are not alone in experiencing challenges, there are people before them who have learnt strategies to deal with their challanges, and excitingly, their strengths are also things that can be grown.

If you are a person who is neurodivergent, or perhaps you do not have a diagnosis, but maybe you have noticed that you share charatceristics with neurodivergent people; then spend some time considering The Hero’s Journey of Neurodivergence Self-Acceptance and investigate where you are up to. There is no expectation that you should be here or there, but speaking personally as a neurodivergent person, I would encourage you to consider that even if your neurodivergence feels like an ongoing disaster, it may not aways be, and you may reach a point where you value and love your neurodivergence with your strengths, challanges, victories, failures and all.