What is neurodiversity? Neurodivergency? eh?

Neurodiversity (or Neurodivergency) is the idea that there isn’t one ‘normal’ type of brain or mind, but that there is infinite variation between us. Autism, Aspergers’, ADHD, dyslexia and other conditions are seen as normal, natural variations. Someone who is neurodivergent has a brain that works differently to the neurotypical brain.

This doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges associated with those conditions. Many individuals with these conditions may still view themselves as having a disorder or disabled because society doesn’t accommodate neurological differences - they aren’t ‘broken’, they don’t need ‘curing’. They need support and accommodation instead.

The majority of my experience has been supporting people who are neurodivergent, specifically autism, ADHD and dyslexia. Initially this was as a teacher, now as a mentor, coach and counsellor. One of the things I noticed that my autistic students found challenging was understanding who they were and their place in the world. When you live in a world that expects you to be one way, to fit in, it can have a huge impact on your sense of self and your mental health when you feel different and struggle to understand how other people and the world work.

I felt this myself for many years and often wondered what was wrong with me, why I felt like such an outsider and why social situations felt so difficult to me but seemed so easy for other people. It was whilst working with a group of amazing autistic teenagers that I recognised the same traits in myself, as did they! So many of my students said I was one of them (and colleagues and parents). I went through the diagnostic process but didn’t receive a formal diagnosis (that’s another story), but I do identify myself as neurodivergent - and there’s nothing wrong with me!

One of the ways back then that I supported my students, and myself, was by providing a space for them to explore who they were. What did their diagnosis mean for them? Who are they as an individual? How do they see and experience the world? It was about supporting them to figure out who they are and their place in the world. I’ve gone further now training to become a coach and counsellor, so I can really help people to unpack this and work through some of the complex emotions that can come along with realising this about yourself.

If this sounds like you, whether you’ve received a diagnosis and are processing that or not, therapeutic coaching may be helpful (a blend of coaching and counselling - although I can offer either approach rather than this blend if you’d prefer). Drawing on existential coaching, psychodynamic counselling, narrative therapy and more, we can think about what it is to be human, we can explore what it means to be you, how you want to live and how you can move forward in a way that feels true for you.