A big thing we are always pushing for at Burton and District Mind is acceptance and celebration of all diversity. We are strong believers that diversity is amazing, whether that be sexuality, age, race, religion or gender! This also goes for Neurodiversity too!
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! This is a worldwide initiative all about celebrating Neurodiversity whilst also challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
Back in 2018, this initiative was started by Siena Castellon who said “I wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived. As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia, my experience has been that people often put focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. I wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on our talents and strengths.”
The main aims of this week are to…
Increase acceptance and understanding
Provide education
Celebrate Neurodiversity
For anyone that may not fully know what Neurodiversity is, it is referring to people with different cognitive styles and neurological profiles. It basically means that their brain will process the world a bit differently. This commonly means people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other conditions.
This can affect people in a number of ways such as:
- How they interact with people around them.
- Can be more likely to become overwhelmed by sensory stimuli
- Harder to focus on things
However, everyone’s neurological profile can be very different and neurodiversity can often bring with it unique strengths and talents! For example, people with autism may have exceptional memory or attention to detail. Neurodiversity can also lead to people being very creative too! Whilst Neurodivergent people can often experience difficulties within life, they can also achieve some truly amazing things!
Every day there are people all around us that experience neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s many others that all do amazing things. Lets celebrate them this week!
It is also important we take this opportunity to push for better social change towards people neurological conditions too.
Unfortunately, neurodiversity often comes with its own dangerous stigmas, that can negatively affect the lives of neurodivergent people. We as a community need to come together and dispel these stigmas.
The stigmas can often lead to discrimination, low self-esteem, social exclusion and reduced access to resources and support.
As a community we can help push back against these stigmas through the following ways…
1) Educate ourselves about different Neurodivergent conditions and their challenges.
2) Being patient and understanding when communicating with neurodivergent people.
3) Avoiding the use of ableist language and jokes that may offend or exclude neurodiverse people.
4) Don’t make assumptions about their abilities or limitations, and celebrating their strengths!
5) Advocate for more inclusive policies and accommodations in schools, workplaces and communities.
At Burton and District Mind, we welcome anyone who needs access to support for their mental health. We are inclusive to all, and will make sure that our services our delivered in a way suited to your needs to ensure you are getting the best possible care.
Please reach out to us if you need support.
You can find out more information on our services here -> https://www.burtonmind.co.uk/adult-mental-health-services
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