Neurodiversity Celebration Week: We should be more inclusive

While neurodiversity itself isn’t a mental health condition, research shows that neurodivergent individuals are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. This increased vulnerability stems from several factors.

Neurodivergent individuals often experience the world differently. Social interaction, communication, and learning can present unique challenges. This can lead to feelings of isolation and a sense of not belonging. Imagine struggling to understand social cues, processing information differently, or having difficulty expressing yourself clearly. It’s easy to see how these experiences can contribute to feelings of loneliness and frustration.

Unfortunately, misconceptions and stigma around neurodiversity are still prevalent. Media portrayals often reinforce negative stereotypes, and a lack of understanding in educational settings and workplaces can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Imagine constantly feeling like you need to explain yourself or hide your true strengths because others don’t understand how your brain works. This constant pressure can be mentally draining and contribute to low self-esteem.

Neurodivergent individuals, particularly children and teenagers, are more susceptible to bullying and social exclusion. Jokes and insensitive comments about these conditions can have a devastating impact on mental well-being. Feeling ridiculed and misunderstood can lead to anxiety, depression, and a reluctance to seek help.

These days ADHD and other neurological conditions, are usually diagnosed in childhood, but many people, particularly the more senior generation, are not diagnosed until much later. This might be because the disorder was not recognised or properly diagnosed. Those with milder symptoms can now be recognised and helped, whereas in the past they may have been overlooked.

There is no cure for ADHD, but it can be effectively managed by a number of methods such as therapy and medication, if necessary. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the many talking therapies that can help individuals learn coping strategies to manage their symptoms and improve their functioning in everyday life. Other types of therapy, such as hypnotherapy and support groups are also beneficial.

So, what can we do to celebrate neurodiversity while also supporting the mental health of these individuals?

A good place to start, is to think about the way we talk about neurodiversity. In the same way I often write about the language we use around mental health issues, it’s best to avoid using language that reinforces negative stereotypes. Perhaps this week, of all weeks, we can think about the unique strengths that come with being neurodivergent, such as creativity, strong focus, and different ways of problem-solving.

Is there anything you could do to create a more inclusive environment in your workplace or school? This might involve providing flexible working arrangements, offering different learning styles, or simply being more patient and understanding.

If you know someone who is neurodivergent, offer them your support and understanding. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a fantastic opportunity to learn more and celebrate the wonderful contributions of neurodivergent individuals. We can all do our bit to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions, to help create a more inclusive environment.

This week is also a good time to think about how inclusive we are with everyone in our community. One thing I deal with frequently, as a therapist, is the long term and residual effects of early life bullying and marginalisation.

When someone is repeatedly subjected to name calling, or having been ‘othered’ for being different from what is deemed to be ‘normal’, the effects can last a lifetime.

As adults, when we encounter times of stress, and perhaps start to doubt ourselves, if we were subjected to repeated verbal abuse as children, this can quite often become our inner narrative. The criticisms we heard as youngsters, can often start to replay over and over again. This might have been from an overly critical parent, or if we were picked on by our peers at school for example. This can really reinforce any self-doubt we might be going through at the time, and can really knock a person’s self-esteem.

Whilst we are on the subject of inclusion this week, I would like to wish all of you who are celebrating your holy month, Ramadan Mubarak.

If you run any type of mental health and wellbeing support group in and around Bradford, please get in touch so I can include details in a future column. If you are in a mental health crisis, call your GP, go to A&E, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.

* Martin Furber is a therapist qualified in various modalities and an Instructor Member of MHFA England wellbeing@martinfurber.com