I have been doing some research lately, both for supports that I would like to access and research for my business as I find that what I do is great for neurodivergent people. Other than not many programs being offered for late diagnosed people, male or female, there is also an assumption that we want to, or need to, change.
So many programs seem to fall under ‘capacity building’ which is a NDIS term with the goal for supporting the participant to no longer need the supports. They also include things such as ‘social skills’ classes that teach participants how to look someone in the eye and behave in a way that is considered ‘socially acceptable’.
There are few places where we can be ourselves, or are encouraged to be ourselves.
After I was diagnosed, I wanted to learn more about my brain and how to work with it instead of against it. Most things I found were around encouraging me to work against my brain!
I even had someone tell me that, in order to get more support with housework, I should clean when the cleaner came, so I’d get twice the amount of cleaning done! Body doubling wasn’t what I needed, what I actually need is for some things to be taken off my shoulders…
I really hope things change so that more programs exist to inspire ND people to work with their brains and to just be who they are. While I’m waiting, I’ll continue my writers groups that inspire people to just be, rather than change what makes them amazing.
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