Finding our people (for neurodivergents)

Geniuses should stick together ❤️

People need to feel a sense of belonging. This is especially true for neurodivergent people who are always seen as a little too weird, too much, too loud, too quiet, too high-maintenance, too rude, too everything.

After my diagnosis during the first month of lockdown, we were sent into an online support group. It was me and about 10 18-20 year olds. 😂

On the last session, we were all very excited because we were told to bring our special interests. It was a show and tell, and an extra-long session.

Imagine - being able to finally talk about the things you're passionate about without eye-rolls and there-she-goes-again.

I lined up all my most exciting stuff and stories about the Monkees, my main life-long obsession. Queued up stuff about Neolithic sensory archaeology and medieval Catholic Bridal mysticism as well.

THE EXCITEMENT WAS REAL.

When the session came, were we all BUZZING.

So what did I talk about in the end? Nothing. I couldn't get a word in because there was a room full of autistic people who were finally able to talk about their special interests. 😂😂😂 I died laughing afterwards.

It was okay though - it's not very often you get to see so many people so excited.

I won't lie - it SUCKS when you have to mask day-to-day. It SUCKS to bend yourself into knots to be taken seriously, or given a job, or whatever.

That's why finding the people who we belong to - who we can be ourselves with - that's magic. It's life-saving.

Want to read more? Check out my article for the Institute of Neurodiversity here.