More About Neurodiversity:
I launched my first website (coachingasperger.com) in 2001 as a resource for those with Asperger’s Syndrome. In 2013, the terms Asperger and Asperger’s Syndrome were removed from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual), and Asperger traits were included within the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
There can also be a large amount of overlap between those diagnosed with ASD and those diagnosed with ADHD. Sometimes neurodiverse individuals are given both diagnoses. Many of us also have various kinds of sensory sensitivities, and may or may not have an additional diagnosis of sensory processing disorder (SPD) or sensory integration disorder, or identify as a highly sensitive person (HSP) or having sensory processing sensitivity (SPS).
We’re not alone!
There are many, many of us out there. We are only slowly discovering how many of us there are, and what the full spectrum actually looks like. The neurodiversity spectrum is more diverse than we initially thought!
Initially, our society only recognized introverted, male autistic children, as well as those who were so far on the spectrum that their language was significantly impacted. Now we realize that women and extroverts can have autism too.
Our society is learning to recognize the milder versions of neurodiversity. At first, Asperger’s syndrome was considered to be something separate from autism, but now they have combined them on the same spectrum. Likewise, there remains an overlap between ADHD and autism. Currently, sensory processing disorder is not diagnosed as a stand-alone diagnosis, and there are some experts who distinguish between SPD and other forms of sensory sensitivity. It’s a muddle, but here we are, getting diagnoses (or not), figuring it out ourselves and learning to live more fully in a society set up for people whose brains are just a tad different than ours.
And the misconceptions continue! Initially we were labeled as not empathetic. That is inaccurate – it’s just that some of us can sometimes appear to lack empathy due to communication glitches. Now we realize that many of us, as we get older and learn to better read body language and other subtle clues – become overly empathetic, feeling everyone else’s feelings more strongly than we would like. It can be overwhelming! Also, those of us who have had trauma – and it is, unfortunately, extremely common for neurodiverse individuals to have experienced trauma – can develop a constant, wary alertness around other people that can be exhausting.
Our traits and abilities can be very advantageous, but can also be challenging for us because our society is organized around neurotypical needs and preferences instead of ours. Navigating cultural and lifestyle expectations can be frustrating because we would thrive so much more, and everything would be so much easier for us, if only society was set up a little differently!
There are autism advocates out there working to change society. It’s a big task, but we are making progress! I am grateful for those of you who are out there raising awareness and working to remove the assumptions of “disability” and “disorder” from the diagnosis of ADHD and autism and other neurodiversities.
Life Inventory Exercise
You may find this useful: Current Life Inventory Exercise. I often use this exercise when starting work with a new client.