Why neurodivergent-led organisations are vital
For approaching a century, nearly all organisations supporting neurodivergent lives have been led by people who aren’t neurodivergent.
The end results have been difficult. Let’s take autism as our example, as autism is a primary focus of this Community Interest Company. For eighty years, nonautistic people were left guessing that we were broken versions of them, and needed fixing. They guessed that we didn’t know how to behave, so needed behaviour-enforcement. They guessed that we wanted exactly the same things as they want, and would be happier if we were just like them. They guessed that most were young boys, that most lacked empathy for others, that most were a financial burden on society. They guessed that things would be much better if they led all of it.
Modern research shows that these guesses were not correct.
Many led to very poor outcomes for the autistic people they were trying to support. Some examples of this latest research can be found on Ann’s Autism blog. I have no doubt that people thought they were doing the right thing. We know better now, from the research. We’ve all had to change our way of thinking, and our way of encouraging and supporting a good quality of life. Personally, I’m glad of the many thousands who follow me and many other autistic individuals on social media, and who have been part of that shared journeying towards a new set of understandings.
Autistic people have a genuinely different, valid way of encountering the world, of socialising, and of communicating. Autistic people have genuinely different life-goals, hopes and dreams. Our ways of relaxing and focusing are different. Our ways of learning and playing are different. There is good evidence of our honesty and integrity, generosity and determination to seek a fair and kind world for ourselves and for others. Note: these generalisations are made with the appreciation that all individuals have differing strengths and approaches, and that these statements will not be true for everyone.
It is vital that neurotypical people are working alongside strong, wise and effective leadership from neurodivergent-led organisations.
What’s needed is for different neurotypes to truly understand one another. To respect each other’s ways of being, communicating and thriving. To learn to thrive together. And, of course, to work together towards supporting all neurodivergent individuals, some of whom have very high support needs in particular circumstances and at particular points in their lives.
Clear direction from neurodivergent leaders is important. People who can speak from a position of deep knowledge & experience, backed with the authenticity and authority of personal experience and wider experience within our communities.
Our team members are some of the best in the industry, trusted by some of the biggest names in the industry, and producing top class reports, real change and deep insights. We have worked with autistic and other neurodivergent individuals for many decades, between us, including those in care settings, those who are nonspeaking, and those who also have learning disabilities. We also work alongside and with parent groups and charities, bringing teams together to deepen understand and truly connect. Their support and encouragement has been a key factor in collaborative successes.
We look forward to working with many more organisations and individuals over the coming years, as true partners, working towards a future where every neurodivergent individual will be valued, supported and able to live the life they deserve.
Terminology explained:
Neurodiverse: This encompasses all different brain types, including neurodivergent e.g. Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxic, as well as the most usual varieties, which we’ll describe as neurotypical.
Neurodivergent: Any of the brain types that are minorities, rather than the neurotypical majority.
Neurotypical: Neurologically typical - not part of a neurological minority.
