Well, it is for many and it’s so annoying. This can happen to anything. Dress things up by saying neurodivergent. Not autistic. You are neurodivergent. Let me be clear the people who created and started using ND before 2010 or 2015 aren’t to “blame.” Even I wouldn’t have guessed that this would happen.
But I did predict capitalism would always be bad for some. That’s obvious. People just didn’t care about the few people it hurt. (I’m specifically talking about during the 80s and prior to that. Now it’s obvious that it hurts some people more than others…even if people who love it won’t admit it).
Here are a few words about neurodiversity I wrote a few nights ago. I don’t think I’ve ever said all this in one post, so here it is:
Why Focus on Being Neurodivergent?
Neurodiversity is integral to my identity because it influences every aspect of my life. I wish it didn’t have to be such a significant issue, but it is. I often wish that being neurodivergent could be more like being introverted, which I love, even though it’s something I can’t change. While I don’t dislike being neurodivergent, it encompasses much more than most people realize.
(I have to add that focusing on neurodivergent is not a CHOICE.)
Short Version of My Neurodiversity Story
I believe I’ve known I was likely autistic since I was a teenager. However, I was told that I only had social anxiety, and I accepted that diagnosis even though it didn’t align with my experiences. I didn’t want to engage with others just for the sake of conversation; I simply wanted to be okay enough to get a job and meet expectations (excluding dating).
For my entire life, I seldom spoke unless someone addressed me first. People generally labeled me as shy. Now, I recognize that my clumsiness is part of being autistic. My aversion to trying different foods and my tendency to stim were also aspects of this condition. Yet, when I was younger, everyone seemed to focus solely on the social aspects of my behavior.
I was misdiagnosed for several reasons, one of which was the lack of understanding some mental health professionals have about autism. I was often told that I was too intelligent and too functional to be autistic. One therapist remarked, “The autistic boy I worked with banged his head against the wall.” It seems that some individuals still don’t recognize that autism is a spectrum.
I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021 and autism in 2023 by two different psychologists who each specialize in those areas.
Does being neurodivergent mean a person has a disability?
I consider my challenges to be a disability when it comes to work. I cannot work in a shared office environment, so I work from home. I wear headphones constantly due to noise sensitivity. Additionally, I have difficulty swallowing pills and keeping my house clean. I have also experienced bullying at work and school, and I don’t receive promotions at my job. There are other challenges as well, but these significantly affect my ability to function, so I identify as having a disability.
I believe that everyone can determine for themselves how they identify. If someone is neurodivergent and feels comfortable with their situation and having their needs met, they may choose not to identify as disabled. Ultimately, it is a personal decision for each individual.