Why is autism / neurodiversity important?
Autism spectrum conditions and neurodiversity highlight the value of diverse ways of thinking and being. By embracing these differences, society celebrates inclusion, breaks down barriers, and enables individuals to contribute their unique strengths, ultimately leading to a richer, more innovative, and empathic community.
What is Autism / ASC?
Autism spectrum condition (ASC), or autism, is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them. It can, however, also include many other aspects, including sensory processing (both sensitivities and aversions), mental health challenges, specialist interests and a many diverse strengths (attention to detail, honesty and reliability, logical thinking, respect of rules, a drive for order, a fresh approach to problem-solving, and this is list is not exhaustive!).
Signs typically appear during early childhood, and although autism is defined by a certain set of behaviours (when considering the medical model and approach), it is a “spectrum condition” that affects all individuals in different ways and to varying degrees. No one autistic person experiences life the same, which can make it a complex condition to sensitively identify and support appropriately, and well.
...and Neurodiversity?
The consequences of lack of appreciation, understanding and support for neurodivergent individuals, families and communities affect so many people (prevalence rates thought to be around 1 in 100 in Europe – though this is a very rough estimate and changes according to defining criteria). Anxiety and depression are the highest rates of co-occurring mental health conditions, and many autistic individuals (and those diagnosed with ADHD) often experience the additional challenges of living in a society which treats them differently; unfortunately, stigmas and prejudice remain (though thankfully the tides are turning in some communities), and employment rates are statistically lower among the neurodivergent community. It is for these reasons that it is vital we put more into funding, resources, facilitation, public conversations, and online forums to focus less on being challenged by our differences and more on celebrating inclusion and their great value.
Reasons to be optimistic
The better we understand how neurodiversity affects every person differently, including females (when we say ‘females’, we refer to biologically assigned-female-at-birth AFAB) and non-binary individuals, the better we can support and nurture anyone affected to enjoy long, healthy, happy lives. There’s so much to celebrate within neurodiversity, and many, many autistic and neurodivergent individuals live full lives with families, careers, children, partners, and love. The best we can all do to empower and support all individuals is if clinicians, specialists, and the general public appreciate and include everyone and show a desire to understand better everyone living within their community.
If you feel you or someone close to you could benefit from some support, please contact Hannah here.
