Often, people who are neurodivergent are described as being "wired differently", or perceiving the world through an entirely unique lens. Those on the neurodivergent spectrum may have differences in how they navigate day-to-day life, and it's important to understand that no two experiences are alike. Even two individuals with identical diagnoses can have vastly different ways of processing information, emotions, and their environments. Neurodivergence itself isn’t a specific diagnosis, nor does it imply any specific conditions. Instead, neurodivergence is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of conditions, all of which affect how our brains interpret and respond to the world. You’ve likely heard of diagnoses like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These conditions are just a few examples of neurodivergence. To fully understand neurodivergence means recognizing that it's not the same for everyone. Each person’s journey is deeply personal,

Navigating the Challenges

Navigating a world that does not often cater to the neurodivergent experience can be tedious and uncomfortable. The term “masking” Is often brought up when hearing about the day to day challenges faced by the neurodivergent community. Masking often includes hiding your features or behaviours that make you who you are, and conforming to a more “normative” presentation or appearance. But what does that mean? Unfortunately, it means that neurodivergent people often feel pressured to suppress parts of themselves in order to appear as “normal” and to feel accepted by society. Often, people who are masking will avoid harmless behaviours that exist to help with regulating, decreasing their ability to feel comfortable or calm in overwhelming situations. This often leads to unnecessarily challenging and uncomfortable experiences for the neurodivergent community.

Neurodivergence Strengths

Being neurodivergent can also present some invaluably positive aspects! Experiences neurodivergent people have allows them to hold profoundly unique perspectives. This uniqueness isn’t just about being different—it's about seeing and interacting with the world in a way that brings fresh points of view, creative solutions, and valuable insights that others might not consider. Neurodivergent individuals often excel in areas that align with their interests and strengths, because they have the ability to approach problems and experiences from angles that are less conventional. Resilience is also an incredible tool that relates to neurodivergent individuals.

Navigating a world that may not always accommodate or even understand neurodivergence can be incredibly tough. Whether it's the pressure to meet societal expectations, or adapt to systems that aren’t designed for them, neurodivergent individuals often do find ways to thrive in society. The neurodivergent community holds remarkable resilience with an ability to persevere, adapt, and find creative ways to tackle everyday life.

How To Honour Neurodivergence

1) Mindfulness

Mindfulness helps us become more attuned to our own needs, thoughts, sensations, and emotions. Practicing mindfulness can help us stay present, rather than getting caught up in the pressures of day to day life. With mindfulness, we can notice our uniqueness without judgment. We can achieve mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing or taking moments to ourselves to check in with how we’re feeling.

2) Affirmations

Positive affirmations help us fight our internalized negative thoughts and help us to reframe our perspectives from negative or judgemental, to ones that are kind, honest and gentle. Affirmations can help us build confidence in who we are.

3) Taking Note of Your Strengths

Oftentimes, neurodivergent people have strengths or abilities that differentiate them from others. Taking time to reflect on these strengths can help us appreciate our unique identities. Focusing on what we are good at helps us build confidence, and reminds us of our amazing abilities.

4) Finding Community

Being part of a supportive community is a very helpful and valuable tool in honouring neurodivergence. Connecting with others who share similar experiences to us can provide us with a sense of belonging and purpose. We can find community in so many ways. Consider researching community support groups, searching for online communities, or connecting with a neurodivergent person in your life. Having a sense of community gives us a space to be around people who can relate to us and share our experiences on a more personal level.

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