Thread by @aimee_speaks

Now attending the "Introduction to Neurodiversity" talk.

@DrAmyPearson has introduced the session as chair, and @SueReviews
Is now discussing the fundamentals of neurodiversity (as she understands it).

#ITAKOM

.@SueReviews will discuss what neurodiversity is & the neurodiversity paradigm.

"Neurodiversity is the fact that all human brings vary in the way our brains work".

Every single brain functions differently & uniquely.

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The neurodiversity paradigm (@WalkerSensei):
1. Neurodiversity is naturally occurring
2. No one is better than another
3. Neurodiversity operates like other equality and diversity dimensions.

@SueReviews adds:
4. strength in diversity itself - collective not individual value.

.@SueReviews uses a visual example of trees and nature to understand neurodiversity.

There are 6 different trees on the slide. All of them have different needs, are unique & are of equal value. Whether they thrive is dictated by the environment they are in.

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.@SueReviews considers myths (& uses fab memes to illustrate these by her daughter).

Myth 1: neurodiversity is not just additional support needs.

"We need to change actions, not just language."

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Myth 2: strengths are collective

"The way that we view strengths tend to be with a capitalist model, however we all have equal value."

We can put pressure on ND people to excel to prove worth & measuring them by "worth" to society.

We need to teach everyone has value.

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Whoops, missed number 3! Myth addressed number 4: neurotypical "exists"

Neurotypical is a useful category for describing those people who have less daily challenges. We need the language for describing inequality.

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Why do we need neurodiversity & a new way of doing things?
- a lot of neurodiversity understanding has come from "core deficit theories".
- deficit based system often focuses on targeting "deficit" to change behaviours to fit societal norm.

We should not do this.

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"The way that we have classified autism as a social and communication deficit is deeply flawed."

@SueReviews highlights that pinning all "challenges in social and communication" challenges on ND people is unfair, when data shows it is two-sided (see double empathy)

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"Neurodiversity affirmative settings offer a better alternative." This type of setting should:
- respect & use lived experience
- fight stigma
- reject normalisation

These are some ways of making society more ND affirmative.

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Really great start by @SueReviews.

Now hearing from @DrRJChapman on Neurodiversity and the concept of pathology.

"Within the movement there is still some element of pathology, and discuss how we can address this."

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.@DrRJChapman discusses the challenges we face with harmful pathologisation, as well as the harmful depathologisation of some labels/conditions.

For example, people taking the term "OCD" and co-opts it to describe behaviours in a way that undermines experiences of OCD.

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.@DrRJChapman introduces 3 stages of "health through history".
1. health as Harmony - health as harmony or imbalance to be healed.
2. (current stage) health as Normality - aiming for "normal" functioning
3. (hopeful next stage for neurodiversity) health as Democracy -

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Normalisation can be harmful for "atypical" minds. Neurodiversity is a challenge to "Health as Normality".

Stage 3, Health as Democracy, as suggested by @DrRJChapman, could mean:
- rejecting idea of "normal" & marginalisation
- space for neurominorities to self-represent
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Fantastic first panel with @SueReviews and @DrRJChapman. It doesn't matter how much I read (listen to, live & breathe) neurodiversity, there are so many new ways of understanding neurodiversity (and what it should be).

Now time for questions, and soaking everything up.

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"Don't worry about the label that comes with an individual, focus on the needs of the individual and making sure that these are met." - @SueReviews

Great response to a question. Diagnosis & labels can be a huge barrier to support, we need to focus on individual needs.

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