Before I introduce The Neurodiversity Smorgasbord, I would like to acknowledge that this framework which I started to develop in 2022 has been inspired, shaped, influenced by movements that have come before as well as Mad, Disabled and Neurodivergent Indigenous and Black scholars, thinkers, writers, leaders and activists.
The inclusion of madness was what made the neurodiversity movement so exciting and resonant for me when I first came across your content Sonny!
When I only understood my experience through the pathology paradigm, I found it overwhelming/confusing that nothing fit in separate boxes for me (because it’s so interconnected).
A couple years ago, I learnt about mad pride, the consumer movement, and realised how much my fear of madness (internalised sanism) and masking my moods impacted me. Around then I found your content on the neurodiversity movement and it was life changing! I’m guessing early ideas of what you’ve now developed into this neurodiversity smogasboard is what really let me settle in a new way.
This reframe:
Symptoms + diagnostic criteria = ‘this is part of me to fix/change’
to
Traits = ‘this is always going to be part of me and it’s ok!’
really let me settle in a new way.
I identified only as ‘neurodivergent’ while I had a phase of ‘idk what’s happening for me but I know I’m part of this umbrella!’ Once I explored my neurotype and traits more, I realised I am audhd.
Glad to have you on substack with us now Sonnie and appreciate everything you share.
Thank you for articulating and sharing the nuanced complexities of what it can mean to manifest as a human being. Even though your lens begins here with your experiences around hearing voices, the framework you present (the smorgasbord) is one on which others with varying experiences can build. Such a framework is an expression of the one by which I try to apply and operate, both when working with others and in navigating my own experiences.
The inclusion of madness was what made the neurodiversity movement so exciting and resonant for me when I first came across your content Sonny!
When I only understood my experience through the pathology paradigm, I found it overwhelming/confusing that nothing fit in separate boxes for me (because it’s so interconnected).
A couple years ago, I learnt about mad pride, the consumer movement, and realised how much my fear of madness (internalised sanism) and masking my moods impacted me. Around then I found your content on the neurodiversity movement and it was life changing! I’m guessing early ideas of what you’ve now developed into this neurodiversity smogasboard is what really let me settle in a new way.
This reframe:
Symptoms + diagnostic criteria = ‘this is part of me to fix/change’
to
Traits = ‘this is always going to be part of me and it’s ok!’
really let me settle in a new way.
I identified only as ‘neurodivergent’ while I had a phase of ‘idk what’s happening for me but I know I’m part of this umbrella!’ Once I explored my neurotype and traits more, I realised I am audhd.
Glad to have you on substack with us now Sonnie and appreciate everything you share.
Thank you for this valuable reframing. You've offered much for me to ponder.
I am so genuinely grateful to you for writing & making this. Wow.
Thank you for articulating and sharing the nuanced complexities of what it can mean to manifest as a human being. Even though your lens begins here with your experiences around hearing voices, the framework you present (the smorgasbord) is one on which others with varying experiences can build. Such a framework is an expression of the one by which I try to apply and operate, both when working with others and in navigating my own experiences.