Got in a little late to the Diversity in Neurodiversity session (definitely day one first afternoon session!).

Excited to listen to @WalkerSensei speak about how everyone benefits from "cultural hybridity" & having an open-minded approach to understanding different minds
#ITAKOM "There is no such thing as a normal brain. What I mean when I say neurotypical is that a person behaves in compliance with social norms based on the cultural expectations instilled in us. Some people are just not capable of passing with these norms."

@WalkerSensei

#ITAKOM

Excited for @HolSmale's keynote on masking.

"Everybody masks, but when you are neurodivergent, masking is on a different level. The mask can be incredibly heavy.. I have to change the very basis of who I am & this is exhausting. I felt like I was broken."

Powerful start #ITAKOM Now @HolSmale shares about her memories of childhood and how it was the "last time I felt authentically happy."

She remembers the moment this began to change when noticing differences between her and her peers. Masking became apparent from high school to "fit in".

#ITAKOM

Now attending the "Attitudes and Priorities for neurodiversity research" session.

It is standing room only (positive to see the interest!), as I am stood up it is trickier to live tweet, but I will try summarise after the session where I can.

#ITAKOM The planning around evaluation questions to refine & reshape questions when capturing and better understanding attitudes towards ND people sounds v interesting.

I'm a big believer in involving ND people in research design to be able to make it as accessible as possible

#ITAKOM

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.

#ITAKOM

As well as sharing my poster at @ITAKOM_CONF, I contributed a video to the Stories from the Spectrum call.

During the 'Neurodivergent Stories from Real Life', I share a very important personal experience that helped to shape my journey as an autistic so far & all the work I do. The video is a one-take address to the camera. I do not have a script, I spoke from my heart in order to capture the most authentic version of my story.

My video is about the importance of neurodivergent role models, of listening to ND voices and supporting us to be ourselves.