Neurodiversity, Neuroinclusion & Preventing Burnout

When preparing to write this article, I completed an online course about neurodiversity. Within this course I learned a few concepts I was not aware of prior and which makes me aware of how much more learning I have to do on this very topic. Just as people are unique, understanding how neurodiverse experiences can present opportunities and new ways of relating to each other is important.

Monotropism

Neurodiversity can include autism diagnosis, asperger’s and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactive disorder). However, I have also read that it can include other diagnosis, however for the purposes of this article I am only focusing on the concept of neurodiversity rather than a specific diagnosis. Neurodiversity may include monotropic experiences. Monotropism is the ability to have great single attention (or have many interests at the same time) but not good at dividing attention. Often, people who are neurodiverse may find switching between spheres of focus to be stressful. This might lead to perceiving oneself in overly judgemental ways when not provided with internal or external resources to effectively cope with the stress.

Strengths

Neurodiversity might also include learning how your strengths can come from understanding your interests and ways that you can translate the motivation to focus catalyzed by them to other areas of your life to improve your wellbeing. For example, if you had a specific interest that allowed you to increase your confidence and perception of being valued it might enable you to build a connection to developing social interactions with other people.

Sensory Profiles

Neurodiversity might also include understanding how your environment can require you to adapt in ways that might look/feel different to others but ultimately nourish and sustain you in the long-term. For example, when you are entering an environment that has particular sensory inputs like sounds, light, texture, etc, you might decide that adapting yourself so you might navigate it better is one option. If that is not an actual option, then perhaps adapting the environment itself or advocating for changes to the environment that could support everyone might help. I can think of how lighting at a grocery store for example could be slightly dimmed to not only save electricity but also to provide a less harsh shopping environment overall.

Neuroinclusion

Neurodiversity might also be a word that people think is overused and meaningless. In my opinion, the word allows for an expansion of possible ways to reduce stress, learn how to optimize learning and build greater connection to authenticity and flourishing. I think getting a diagnosis could enable someone to be able to better understand themselves and ways that perhaps they did not know before, similar to undergoing reflective learning with a supervisor or therapeutic support with a therapist would. You do not need to have a diagnosis of neurodiversity to begin to ask questions about what allows you to grow and succeed but it can help in gaining financial supports if those are necessary as well as therapeutically depending on the level of need present.

Functioning & Feeling Good Enough

Neurodiversity also includes understanding how you function optimally. This could include your ability to plan, prioritize and complete tasks at work/school/volunteer. Sometimes asking for help when you are having a difficult time is hard because you might believe that you are not “good enough”. However, inconsistent support can often leave someone feeling stuck. Your sleep quality, energy and overall health can also be factors is how well you are able to sustain your performance at achieving your goals. Breaking stereotypes around performance is important from a neurodiversity lens. For example, it is isn’t helpful to assume someone is unfocused or lazy without understanding what the actual challenge is. Some people might be experiencing procrastination or have a challenge with getting started/staying organized rather than laziness.

Our ability to adapt when our brain gets overwhelmed is remarkable. If we are able to learn tools to compensate for the times when we are overloaded by stress, this will go a long way. It is almost like developing short-cuts to take some of the mental load off our minds. Working with a trusted supportive person can help in this way. You might start to see patterns when your stress increases and opportunities to relate to that stress differently.

 Stress Management

Learning about the ways that we become stressed either by our perceptions or interactions with our external world is important. Within therapy neurodiverse perspectives can also be a strength for seeing things in unique ways. Sometimes avoiding excess demands on our system occurs because our ability to cope is already narrowed by all the other demands on the system. Sometimes we might need to alter our perception if our minds are ruminating or falling into thought traps that can make the stress greater. Other times, leaving a situation and finding alternative ways to cope or increase our coping can help. There are as many ways to cope with stress as there are unique ways people show their personality. You will find what works for you.

Preventing burnout

Lastly, neurodiversity is important as within society people need to be able to have access to safe & affordable housing, income, social connection and other social determinants of health. When someone’s brain is constantly being invalidated or not supported it can lead to burnout due to the excessive strain on having to adapt to a dysfunctional environment or in the very least an environment that makes someone feel “not good enough”. If you become mindful of the ways you can sustainably maintain your mental health and the ways that your neurodiversity can be positively impacted it will go a long way. Having a supportive friend, family member, employer and connection to a greater sense of community are all important.

These are just a few of my thoughts on the topic of neurodiversity. I realize that I barely scratched the surface here. However, I hope that it will spark your curiosity to learn more about the topic and ways that you can break stereotypes and work towards improving the ways we connect to each other to foster greater societal inclusion.

Sara de Souza, MSW, RSW