Episode 21: Embracing Neurodiversity with Beck Spectrum
Host: Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. Founder of Curious Neuron
Guest: Beck Spectrum
Summary:
If we want to learn more about people we share this planet with, we need to start listening to each other. Whether it is mental health or Autism, our journey to reduce stigma around these starts by listening to those who are living with these conditions. I wanted to interview an Autism person for the topic of neurodiversity so that we could begin to listen and learn. What is neurodiversity? How has a woman with Autism experienced life differently than neurotypical people? I learned a lot from Beck and I hope you do as well.
Key messages:
The term neurodivergent encompasses many conditions: Autism, ADHD, and Tourette Syndrome
Neurodiversity is the concept that humans all have different brain development, and neurodivergent describes a specific person being "wired" in a way that is not considered typical development
Research can be dehumanizing because the people being studied tend to be viewed as problems to be fixed rather than experiences to be explored
There is a wide range of symptoms of ASD such as hypersensitivity and special interests, which Beck experiences
Girls are more likely to be diagnosed with depression or borderline personality disorder compared to boys who are diagnosed at a much earlier age and therefore get support earlier
Masking is when an Autistic person covers up their traits to make others feel comfortable
You don't know when you are speaking to someone with Autism, so that is why it is important to practice compassion for everyone
The difference between tantrums, meltdowns, and shutdowns: The goal of a tantrum is to get what a child wants and they express it through their behavior, whereas a meltdown is an external reaction caused by sensory overload. A shutdown is a subset of a meltdown, an internal reaction from overstimulation.
It is not typical for your child to be frustrated by their own behavior. Even if they have the motivation and want to succeed, there is a block in their brain that stops them.
There are resources that have been harmful to the Autistic community because their voice is not being heard, and these are Autism Speaks, Light it Up Blue, The Puzzle Piece, and Autism Moms
A helpful tool is using anchors to keep a set point of tasks on schedule each day, and knowing the rest of the time is flexible
Believe your child when they tell you they are doing their best, even when it does not seem like it to you
You can support your child by doing research from trusted sources where the Autistic community is involved
It's ok to mourn the fact that your child will not have the life you expected and envisioned for them
It is never too late to educate yourself!
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