Embracing Neurodiversity, Embracing Humanity
some sporadic, popcorn thoughts written by a neurodivergent therapist
Biology is diverse, and so are humans. Our minds, brains, bodies, and nervous systems all work and express themselves in countless ways. The truth is, no human being is exactly the same as another human being. We are all unique. There are all kinds of kinds and that’s truly a wonderful thing.
I work with many neurodivergent people in my practice as a therapist. Some of the neurodivergent categories my clients resonate with are ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Autism, HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).
The term neurodivergent is often compared to the term neurotypical, where neurodivergent folks' bodies and brains stray from the so called normal or typical body or brain, but what is typical? What is normal? I do not believe there is a normal or typical way of being; rather, there are ways of being and navigating the world that are mainstream and normalized.
I am not a scientist. I am not a researcher. I am a human being who supports other human beings in embracing their uniqueness and honoring their needs, limits, and capacities. My hope is to help each client move through the world in ways that serve and support them, despite the adversities they may face. I encourage people to honor their originality and to be their authentic selves in relationships with themselves and others. I also hold space for my clients’ grief and experiences of genuine loss and support clients to process the trauma of having to mask their authentic traits in society and within families that may not embrace their uniqueness.
I use the term sensitive as an all-encompassing label that covers C-PTSD, Autism, HSP, and more. I also use it to refer to people with extrasensory perceptions and spiritualists, but more on that another time. While many people who identify as neurodivergent resonate with being sensitive, not everyone does. Using an umbrella term does not mean we lump all diagnoses and identities together. Each category or label is distinct and can be essential for some people.
As I previously mentioned, ADHD, HSP, Autism, and other forms of neurodivergence are not all the same. I also do not agree with many people’s idea that HSP is just a label for people who do not want to admit they are autistic or have ADHD. Many HSPs do not relate to some of the features of ADHD or Autism, while many HSPs do. Some people resonate and claim that they are HSP, Autistic, and ADHD. Some people are experiencers of complex trauma and also resonate with all three of the categories just mentioned. None of these specifiers cancels the other out, and there is room for all of them if that feels right for a person.
As a therapist, I am not an expert on every nuance of these experiences and diagnostic categories. Instead, I hold space and support each human being that I work with. I am skilled at attuning to each person’s needs, strengths, and challenges. I lead with curiosity and do my best to avoid assumptions to ensure I do not put anyone in a box. I always assume my clients are the experts of their own lives.
This is an area of great interest for me as a neurodivergent and sensitive person, and I am always learning and expanding my knowledge. Neurodiversity is real because human beings are real. It is essential to embrace our differences in order to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and one another.
