Neurodiversity & Disability
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What does it mean to be different? In a capitalist society where the main focus is on "productivity," the word "different" is often used to mean "wrong." And growing up in a capitalist society, most of us have been taught to believe that our value is based on how well we can conform to expectations of mental, emotional, and physical "normalcy." And sometimes we start to believe that. We think, "Hey, I guess I'm just lazy because because I haven't accomplished as much as other people." Or we push ourselves, forcing more productivity out of our protesting bodies and minds than they can handle, until we just...can't anymore. You start to believe that you're the problem.
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I'm guessing you've gotten this before: "You're lazy, you don't care. You'll never amount to anything. You need to get it together. Pull yourself up by your boot straps." Or maybe it's the other way around: "You have so much potential, you could do anything you set your mind to, you have to be strong, don't give up, don't focus on your disability, focus on what you can do. You're so inspiring."
You never get a chance to just...be you.
And maybe, eventually, you start getting all those messages from inside your own mind, because you've been told those things so many times. You start to believe them, and then it's hard to imagine that you might be someone different than those messages suggest.
But you learned those things from someone with no idea what it's actually like to live your life.
You never get a chance to just...be you.
And maybe, eventually, you start getting all those messages from inside your own mind, because you've been told those things so many times. You start to believe them, and then it's hard to imagine that you might be someone different than those messages suggest.
But you learned those things from someone with no idea what it's actually like to live your life.
You are NOT the problem.
The Neurodiversity movement argues that difference doesn't mean wrong. Being Autistic, or a mobility-aid user, or having ADHD, Downs Syndrome, Anxiety, OCD, or Depression doesn't mean you're broken. And it doesn't mean that you have to be someone's inspiring story.
Different just means...different.
And not just in that "differently abled" way. You shouldn't have to somehow "overcome" your differences and meet society's expectations unless you want to.
It's okay to be different. It might be tough sometimes--anxiety can make it hard to feel safe connecting with people, and ADHD can be frustrating when you keep getting distracted. But some of the struggle is caused by society--barriers to accessing the things you want and need to feel happy and secure in your life, and to accomplish the things you want to accomplish.
Society sets neurodiverse and disabled folks up for failure, by creating one-size-fits-all expectations for what it means to be a valid human being. But the truth is that your differences don't make you any less or more than someone else, and you shouldn't have to settle for someone else's story about you. You deserve to be acknowledged, respected, and affirmed for who you are--neurodivergence and disabilities included.
Different just means...different.
And not just in that "differently abled" way. You shouldn't have to somehow "overcome" your differences and meet society's expectations unless you want to.
It's okay to be different. It might be tough sometimes--anxiety can make it hard to feel safe connecting with people, and ADHD can be frustrating when you keep getting distracted. But some of the struggle is caused by society--barriers to accessing the things you want and need to feel happy and secure in your life, and to accomplish the things you want to accomplish.
Society sets neurodiverse and disabled folks up for failure, by creating one-size-fits-all expectations for what it means to be a valid human being. But the truth is that your differences don't make you any less or more than someone else, and you shouldn't have to settle for someone else's story about you. You deserve to be acknowledged, respected, and affirmed for who you are--neurodivergence and disabilities included.
Neurodivergence & Disability in Therapy
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Therapy is the last place that you should need to worry about being treated like somebody's project or inspiring moment. Your therapy is about you. And you deserve to know that your needs and your goals will be the main focus. Therapy might include some attention on your neurodiversity or disabilities, but you get to decide how and when that happens. If you want a place where you can process your frustrations about having to mask all the time as an autistic person, we can create that space together. If you need a place to work through difficult emotions without your therapist making it all about your chronic pain, we can do that too. You get to decide how much focus there is in therapy on your neurodiversity or disability, so that you can do the work you want to do toward reaching your therapy goals. |
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To discover if Counseling is right for you, or to request more information about my qualifications, competencies, and services, please Contact me to set up a free consultation.
To discover if Counseling is right for you, or to request more information about my qualifications, competencies, and services, please Contact me to set up a free consultation.