Neurodiversity – A personal tale
/It will not have escaped your eye that there is so much coming out about neurodiversity today. Our knowledge in this area is expanding exponentially, which is a blessing really. While, from a professional point of view, this represents more delving and study, it also means that we can more adequately support children, (and their families), in their education and life journeys. How I wish I had known more about this area in my youth, not only to support the children I have seen over the years but with respect to my own family, where neurodiversity abounds.
“I have a badge that sits on my desk that says, “Celebrate Neurodiversity!” … and I do!”
I know through my work and through my personal experience how wonderful these individuals are and that one needs to emphasise the diversity in neurodiversity. No two people are ever the same, and the combination of presentations makes for a rich tapestry of possibilities, notwithstanding the fact that each person’s journey can still be precarious for some, due to a lack of public and professional awareness, occasional reduced inclusivity and lack of understanding. Thankfully all that is improving for children and their parents. If you think of a pebble dropping a pond, with the centre being neurodiversity, the rings are the knowledge that is ever expanding.
Way back in the 80s and 90s our understanding of ASD, (now known as high functioning Autism) was more focussed on communication differences. As a speech pathologist then, this was referred to as semanto- pragmatic disorder, (understanding social language disorder). These kids were often thought of as “quirky”.
ADHD on the other hand, at that time was something that described hyperactive, usually inattentive children, who got into trouble a lot, especially in class, and were often referred to as “naughty boys”! We now know that these individuals were not usually intentionally naughty, and certainly not always boys either! As time has marched forward the collection of presentations and challenges under the neurodiverse umbrella has grown, with Dyslexia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, High Functioning Autism, ADHD (hyperactive and inattentive) and DLD (delayed language disorder) all being represented. We also know that these can cooccur and that they in fact include many shared features.
I see many children in my practice who have differing presentations around neurodiversity, some already identified, others noted during my assessment. In recent times, I have been hearing from parents who are enquiring about assessment, that they either suspect that they too are neurodivergent, or that indeed, recently, they have had an identification confirmed. What is that wonderful expression about apples and trees? … and indeed, what wonderful apples and trees!
An exciting development that has come to my attention is a relatively new area of support called ADHD Coaching.
An exciting development that has come to my attention is a relatively new area of support called ADHD Coaching. This is not therapy per say, it involves skills-based building of self-awareness and facilitation of personalised systems through education and goal achievement. This is now available to both adults and children. Quite often these professionals have walked, and do walk in neurodiverse shoes, and can provide incredible insights. A further exciting development is around AuDHD … what is that do you ask? It goes back to that cooccurrence feature of neurodiversity. People can have ADHD and Autism cooccurring … but as it turns out, rather than just being a combination of both, it has its own presentation, much along the lines of, “the whole is more than and other than the sum of the parts”. This will make a lot of sense to a lot of people. Some interesting information around ADHD coaching and AuDHD coaching can be gained from the following link. I really recommend a look.
Throughout my professional life I have worked with children and their families. It has often felt exciting and daunting at the same time; the responsibility, weight of accountability and challenge spurring one on but sometimes blinding. What is just so wonderful after many years of professional and personal practice, is to see the horizon opening for so many people. I now see neurodiversity more like a lava lamp… the oil is contained, the image bright and ever changing, the possibilities endless!
