Marni thanks so much!! That means a lot coming from you. I was so nervous about this chapter because of how complex this topic can be and also how emotional it can feel. So I really appreciate your feedback and yeah I think labels can be all those things at once.
Your book is so good, Fran! This chapter was written with a clarity around a nuanced topic that I find difficult to manage. Well done.
We’ve talked about this, but there are risks to rejecting neurodivergent labels because they arose from the (racist, colonialist) medical model.
A friend this week experienced discrimination at work but hasn’t previously found a need or desire for an official diagnosis. Without it, they struggled to adequately make the case for (limited) ADA accommodations.
The same narrative applies for youth in schools and with college prep. They shouldn’t need a diagnosis to get help, but they often do.
I 100% agree that we need to be pushing back on the systems, rather than situating any difficulty within the individual. The neurodiversity movement is advocating for this change.
I also support anyone’s right to reject any terms that don’t resonate with them. But I want them to know the risks of doing so. And also to let them know many of us have felt empowered by ND terms and community.
You covered a lot of this beautifully, both claiming neurodivergence and rejecting anyone else’s right to define it for you. Well done!
Marni thanks so much!! That means a lot coming from you. I was so nervous about this chapter because of how complex this topic can be and also how emotional it can feel. So I really appreciate your feedback and yeah I think labels can be all those things at once.
Your book is so good, Fran! This chapter was written with a clarity around a nuanced topic that I find difficult to manage. Well done.
We’ve talked about this, but there are risks to rejecting neurodivergent labels because they arose from the (racist, colonialist) medical model.
A friend this week experienced discrimination at work but hasn’t previously found a need or desire for an official diagnosis. Without it, they struggled to adequately make the case for (limited) ADA accommodations.
The same narrative applies for youth in schools and with college prep. They shouldn’t need a diagnosis to get help, but they often do.
I 100% agree that we need to be pushing back on the systems, rather than situating any difficulty within the individual. The neurodiversity movement is advocating for this change.
I also support anyone’s right to reject any terms that don’t resonate with them. But I want them to know the risks of doing so. And also to let them know many of us have felt empowered by ND terms and community.
You covered a lot of this beautifully, both claiming neurodivergence and rejecting anyone else’s right to define it for you. Well done!