This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a time to celebrate neurological diversity and recognise the talents and advantages that come with being neurodivergent.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions around neurological differences and transform how people who are neurodivergent are perceived and supported.
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to variations in neurological traits, and can encompass cognitive conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
Societal expectations have created barriers for some neurological traits and behaviours, leading to a misguided assumption that conditions like autism or ADHD are debilitating and need to be “fixed”. We may assume that the boy who can’t sit still in class is disruptive, or the work colleague who won’t make eye contact is rude, however these assumptions are based on general societal expectations, and don’t consider the individual.
Coined by Australian Judy Singer in the late-1990s, the term “neurodiversity” challenges the notion that neurological differences are disabling and require fixing. Rather, neurological differences are just that – differences, and can provide strengths as well as weaknesses, that can be recognised and nurtured for the benefit of all.
What can you do?
We chatted with Tom Middleditch, Access and Inclusion Coordinator at RISING, who provided some helpful advice around neurodiversity, and creating a safe space for all. Some of Tom’s tips are:
- Question your own assumptions
Tolerating the bright lights and noise of a shopping centre or Emergency Department can be different for different people. Do not assume these experiences are the same for everyone. While some may be oblivious to these sensory factors, some people who are neurodiverse may find these environments overwhelming.
Consider times when you may have felt sensorially overwhelmed and use this to develop empathy for those who regularly experience sensory sensitivity.
- Always ask a person what they need
If you sense that a person is uncomfortable, talk to them about it. Ask them what they need to feel more comfortable. You cannot be expected to identify people who are neurodiverse, but working this dialogue into your everyday life will help you understand the needs of those around you.
- Accept when someone says they are neurodivergent
People who are neurodiverse may make requests to help them navigate their immediate environment. They do this to allow themselves the space they need – not to take advantage. Accept when a person says they are neurodivergent, whether they’re a patient or a colleague, and accommodate their needs where possible.
- Be comfortable with being uncomfortable
Be prepared to accept human mistakes. Initiating the conversation will contribute to changing the narrative around neurodiversity. This may come with errors, but will prove better than no conversation at all.
More information
At Monash Health we are working towards fostering an environment that understands and supports the needs of people who are neurodivergent. Our Disability Action Plan consultation process is assisting in this work, gathering feedback such as:
- Staff don’t tend to care about people with Autism and our needs
- Understanding the need for quiet spaces…we want the ability to wait in the car if ED is too much
At Monash Health, we recognise the need to make reasonable adjustments for our patients and employees that identify as being neurodivergent. These adjustment are made through initiatives such as the Workplace Adjustment Policy that is currently in development. The policy will outline how we respond to the individual adjustment needs of our neurodiverse employees, allowing all to effectively and efficiently use their skills and experience to contribute to the organisation.
You can read more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website.
Approved by Karen Lowe