neurodiversity Archives - More Than Quirky

Celebrating Neurodivergent Strengths

March 18, 2024

As neurodivergence is frequently viewed using the medical model of disability, focus is primarily on problems. Impairments, inabilities, difficulties. Meltdowns, learning differences, problematic stims. However, as perception moves more and more towards the social model of disability, so too can the focus not only on the fact the majority of supposed disability is due to society, but that there are benefits. Many neurodivergent traits are strengths, both to the individual, and within a neuronormative society.[…]

Language and Terminology

February 29, 2024

An element of becoming part of the neurodivergent community is recognising how rubbish society is, in general, at using appropriate language and terminology. Using neurodivergent and neurodiverse interchangeably. Tending to use person-first language. Confusing “support needs” with “severity”. Most of the time it is not done with malice. Often the mistakes are even made with active good intentions – in most disability fields, person-first language is preferred, for example. I made many of these errors[…]

Q&A: How Do I Teach My Child To Act Like Other Kids?

August 15, 2023

Q. We are very lucky that my son (autistic age 7) has been invited to most of the birthday parties for his classmates even the ones that are a small group instead of the whole class. But for me it’s really upsetting because when we’re there it’s really obvious how different he is to his classmates. They try to include him but a lot of the time he doesn’t join in like everyone else or[…]

Questioning your own neurotype

June 19, 2023

“Take a good hard look at yourself,” is generally a fairly brutal, critical phrase. In the world of parenting neurodivergent children, it’s simply excellent advice. How many aspects of your child’s behaviour or experience had you thought was perfectly normal because it’s what you do? What your parents did. Your siblings. Your spouse. How many times has a family member or close friends dismissed your child’s confirmation by saying, “That’s not ADHD! Everyone does that.[…]

Q&A: Do I Get My Child Assessed or Not?

May 26, 2023

Q. My son’s daycare have suggested we might want to get him assessed for autism. The things they have pointed out I agree with but thought it was age appropriate. He is our only child so we don’t have anything else to compare to at home. I have been reading a lot about it online and can see what the daycare staff are talking about. I am also thinking my husband and I are probably[…]

Fawning: The danger of people-pleasing

May 22, 2023

One reason many autistic children fly under the radar – and why many of us don’t even recognise our neurodivergence for what it is until adulthood – is because of one of the 7 standard responses: fawning. It is also a significant contributor to the Coke bottle effect, and burn out. What is Fawning Fawning, put simply, is using people-pleasing (consciously or otherwise) in avoid conflict, and earn the approval of others. It often appears[…]

When You Just Can’t: Task Paralysis

April 4, 2023

Task paralysis is incredibly annoying. For everyone involved. There are many theories as to why it happens, or what it means, but the reality of it is simply an extreme case of involuntary procrastination and avoidance of a task. Task Paralysis is a common form of ADHD Paralysis, and one I struggle with massively. Evidently. Let me begin by sharing with you the irony of finding myself facing task paralysis when wanting to write an[…]

The Best Incentive: Happiness

March 31, 2023

There are many tricky elements of neurodivergence that can – and potentially should – be addressed, without this being perceived as forcing neurotypicality or not being neuroaffirming. Usually, the measure of this can be whether overcoming this hurdle is of benefit to the neurodivergent person’s self-esteem and happiness. This might include helping a person with dyslexia learn to read to the best of their ability to allow them to succeed in neurotypical society, or teaching[…]

Q&A: Which Health Professionals for Support?

March 14, 2023

Q. What health professionals do I need to support my neurodivergent child? Mum of boy aged 5-8 A. Neurodivergent people benefit from the support of a number of health professionals. I strongly discourage jumping headfirst into this potential support. Assessment and confirmation (“diagnosis”) If your child is undiagnosed, and you believe/suspect they might be neurodivergent, your first step is your GP. This in itself is not always an easy approach. You may well experience dismissal[…]

Spoon Theory

March 8, 2023

“I do not have enough spoons.” “I’m saving spoons.” “Not doing that – too many spoons.” Why do so many neurodivergent people keep talking about spoons? Spoon Theory is an analogy that has been used for the last two decades to illustrate energy expenditure. Originally coined by Christine Miserandino to describe her experience with lupus, it has been adopted by many people who require additional energy to get through their day. This includes many neurodivergent[…]