I’m seeing many social media posts about how Neurodiversity Celebration Week celebrates neurodevelopmental differences but not acquired neurodivergence. That could really piss on my parade, and I am really enjoying this week; I’m in my element really. And so, I feel the need to share my perspective. This does not make my perspective right and others wrong.
I myself am multiple neurodivergent. Autism is my most dominant neuro-difference. I like being autistic, despite the challenges it brings. I also have ADHD, and I’m still coming to terms with the impact of this on my life (I was diagnosed very recently, aged 48). Both of these neuro-differences bring many strengths, but also disable me in many ways.
And I also have Complex PTSD, which is an acquired neurodivergence. This can profoundly affect how I think, feel and process, and it affects my behaviour at times too, and can sabotage me. In recent years, I feel more disabled by PTSD than autism and ADHD put together. It is the main reason I have struggled in recent years to cope with working in high-pressured permanent HR jobs, and eventually resigned to make my side quest (speaking, writing, and consulting about neurodiversity inclusion) my main mission.
I do not celebrate my PTSD during Neurodiversity Celebration Week. It is nothing to celebrate. I would cure it, if I could. I’ve had some success with psychodynamic therapy in the past, well before my son’s death, but it comes back. It is a permanent pain in the arse. I am in the waiting list for EMDR therapy through Worcestershire Healthy Minds, but I am coming to terms with the idea that PTSD will be a permanent fixture in my life. I’m dealing with it, not celebrating it.
It is extremely important to increase understanding and awareness of how when neurodivergent people are traumatised we are vulnerable to developing serious mental health conditions. I just do that at other times of the year, not during Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
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