Embracing Neurodiversity: A panel discussion at Gulf Coast State College

Last month during Autism awareness month, I had a privilege of being a part of a panel discussion at Gulf Coast State College on Neurodiversity. While most school years are coming to a close, we had a robust conversation among two neurodiverse students and two professionals on a wide variety of topics in neurodiversity. Since our topics share so much relevance to neurodiverse students, clients and people in the world, I thought I would share a few of the questions and answers we discussed in the panel.

Our Neurodiversity panel at Gulf Coast State College: yours truly, Crystal Grey-Hewett from FSU CARD autism program, along with Darian and William, our neurodiverse student representatives.

• In what ways do you believe neurodiversity enriches academic, professional, or creative communities? Neurodiversity can enrich many spaces with innately different vantage points in which to approach a question, problem, outlook, behavior, or viewpoint. All spaces, when approached with curiosity and openness, can benefit from a different viewpoint or way of doing things.

  • Analogy of using hyper focus: For many ND people, they have the ability to hyper focus on areas of interest. This can look like: lots of research, collecting everything about the topic, making art about the topic, sending lots of emails or communicating for long periods about the topic. In this way, if you give an ND person something to work on that speaks to already expressed interest, you have a gem of a student, employee, or colleague to help assist in any joint effort.

• How can we better accommodate neurodivergent students, particularly those with ADHD and autism? Can students where sunglasses, hats, earplugs/headphones other wearable accommodations? Can lighting be adjusted if requested? Can students write down their questions or responses before being called upon suddenly in class? What are teachers communication expectations regarding email response time, etc?

• How can we as an institution and individuals foster an environment that not only accommodates but celebrates neurodiverse people? Allow for the unexpected and unusual. Let yourself be surprised by differing viewpoints and communication styles. Allow a person to talk with you about their special interest, then trade. Make time for special help or 1:1 time: learning lab, tutors, but also instructors. Allow what you used to think was weird or “out of bounds.”

• What strategies would you recommend to neurodivergent students to be proactive in their self-care and academic success? First, self-accommodation is self care. Second, look to your previous academic year as a guide for what may work. When in doubt, look to the big five: Sleep, nutrition, time management (schedule and downtime), sensory, and support.

• How can students build a support team on campus? What roles can peers, faculty, and mental health professionals play in this team? Utilize support services for learning (tutors), accommodations (disability services), class (office hours), finding a ND buddy on campus, counseling, advising, and mental health care if needed.

• What message or advice would you give to neurodivergent individuals about recognizing and leveraging their unique strengths? Your difference is your strength. Find people who see your difference and celebrate it, are curious about it, and want to know more. Many high functioning ND people feel as though their lived experiences of the world is different than other people. So letting your story be seen, be heard, and be expressed in a space where you are safe and supported!

• If you are reading this, and are interested in working with me, feel free to fill out my application here or email me. I look forward to helping you in your neurodiverse journey!

Gender-Affirming & Neurodiverse Mental Healthcare: an update

Last year, I wrote about inclusivity during Pride month, and also came out! This year, the timing of this post coincides with the national conversation around gender-affirming care. This access has been threatened for many people, including those in my state of Florida.

Since I identify as a neurodiverse queer person who is still learning how to present as an inclusive psychotherapist, I wanted to take some time to share a bit about how I am working on providing ongoing affirming care for my diverse clients.

First, a few disclaimers. I am a Caucasian female (she/they) who innately has privilege based on these two facts. I do not experience blatant discrimination based on my gender identification, sexual orientation, or race. Due to my economic privilege, I have found independent practitioners who provide gender and neurodiverse healthcare.

During our intake process, I will ask if you prefer any electronic forms to communicate any needs related to your mental health care. I usually gather this information in a conversational style so that you can disclose or withhold any information at your pace. However, some neurodiverse people prefer to communicate in writing, and you will have this option throughout our treatment.

In this ongoing relationship, I will be asking for any neurodiverse, cultural, gender, sexuality, or other considerations you would want me to know. Again, this information will also be available in written form. As we progress, I approach all therapeutic relationships with a sense of curiosity and a beginner’s mind. You are ultimately the expert on yourself, and if I don’t understand something, my neurodiverse brain will seek to understand by remaining open to you and your lived experience.

As your advocate, I have worked with clients with comorbid physical health issues that are often chronic and ongoing. I work hard to help my clients find local doctors, dentists, and bodyworkers who are considerate of chronic conditions. In this search, I am also looking for healthcare providers who listen and consider my clients neurodiverse and gender orientations as part of their ongoing care.

Despite my efforts to educate myself and remain curious and compassionate, I still make mistakes. Moving through the world as a queer or trans person often feels dangerous. I understand that paranoia is a natural byproduct of hate and discrimination. I also know that I may miss things, despite working on my blind spots and my innate privilege. I hope we work together with ongoing collaboration, curiosity, and grace.

Being proud of who we are is an innate right we all have as human beings. I am proud of my neurodiverse brain, my androgynous orientation to sexuality and gender, and my growing capacity for love in all forms. If you are interested in working with me, please fill out my application here or email me here.

Hiring a Neurodiverse Therapist

Earlier this year, I underwent psychological testing and discovered I am on the autism spectrum. This realization has led to a lot of reflection around how I show up as a human and a psychotherapist. I wanted to share a few of these realizations, for those of you who may be looking for a trauma-informed, neurodiverse psychotherapist.

1 . What is neurodiversity? Judy Singer, a sociologist who has autism, started using the term "neurodiversity" in the late 1990s. It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths. Devon Price, the author of Unmasking Autism, creates a wider umbrella for neurodiversity to include many different types of mental health diagnosis that can create brain variations such as: ADHD, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. My version of neurodiversity, which presents mostly as Aspergers (the now-obsolete term for autism without intellectual disability), means I have deficits in how I socialize, verbalize, and connect with other humans.

2. How can I benefit? One of the hallmarks of autism in the brain is the connectivity differences. Which is to say:

“certain brain regions show high interconnectivity in autistics and comparatively reduced connectivity in neurotypicals, while other brain regions show lower connectivity in autistics and comparatively elevated connectivity in neurotypicals.” (Embrace Autism, connectivity)

Having a neurodiverse psychotherapist can benefit a person who is wanting someone to look at them, their problems or symptoms, in a different way. Having a neural adaptation that views the world through a difference lens can provide perspectives to help assist clients in a change in mindset and even behavior change.

3. Feedback can be tailored. Another hallmark of being on the autism spectrum is my ability to deliver honest feedback. The common problem with my unfiltered version of feedback, is it can come off as too blunt, too direct, or even hurtful. I have learned over the years, that if I have an insight or feedback for clients, to ask first if they want the feedback. As a client, I may even ask if you want feedback presented in a direct fashion, or in a more indirect way. As a rule of thumb, I am able to assess and provide this feedback quickly upon meeting most clients.

4. Relatability as a form of connection. The final realization I wanted to share in hiring a neurodiverse therapist, is that being able to relate is a part of how I connect. In reading various books and articles on autism, one of the ways I learn to connect is by finding common ground. Very often, this could be perceived as making someone else’s topic about me, or disclosing too much about myself as a therapist. If you are noticing that I am relating to you in a session, within appropriate boundaries, it is a way to let you know you are not alone. My goal in relating is to provide connection that is inclusive, and I continue to work on my relatability with all my clients.

If you are reading this, and are also neurodiverse, I would love to hear from you! The more our world is able to embrace all forms of neurodiversity, the more we are all able to be ourselves. I can provide general guidance and feedback for anyone who is looking for a more supportive experience, whether as a psychotherapy client, professional, or human in this world. Please email me or apply to become a client. I look forward to hearing from you!

Diffusion MRI of the human brain. (Image source: Human Connectome Project)