There continues to be a lack of understanding and knowledge around the subject of Autism and ADHD within society. That same ignorance runs through the veins of our 200 year old, rigid Education system leaving Autistic-ADHD advocates like me unable to impart our valuable insight – insight which has the potential to improve the life experiences of so many.
This ignorance contributes to the perpetuation of false and harmful perceptions, which lead to the creation of unnecessary hurdles that Autistic-ADHD people are subjected to on a daily basis. From difficulties obtaining a diagnosis, to a lack of necessary accommodations within schools or workplaces, it can be more difficult for Autistic-ADHD brains to thrive in a world largely shaped by Predominant Neuro Type ideals.
This is why social media has been such a powerful way for us to advocate for a better understanding of Autism and ADHD, through our blogs, TikTok platforms and YouTube channels.
We want to encourage others to reconsider the way they perceive Neurodivergence – moving away from the deficit model that sees neurodivergent people as errors to be corrected, towards creating a society, which is more accepting of neurological differences seeing them as naturally occurring human characteristics.
Social media, especially TikTok with its short and snappy format, has become a valuable tool for Neurodivergent creators, like us here at Auticulate, in challenging stereotypical perceptions around neurodivergence, by sharing our insight at an international scale.
Rachel originally started posting TikTok clips – signing songs that not only gave Deaf users access but helped ‘defragment’ her brain. As Rachel continued posting, she discovered a space to explore more about Autism and ADHD, connect with others and increasingly share her experiences. Since then, Rachel has gained a following of over 48,000 and is now venturing out, with her team at Auticulate with a mission statement aimed at redefining Autistic and ADHD stereotypes
Rachel says; “I’d love for people to see that being Autistic-ADHD is not inherently negative, and being Autistic-ADHD should not be considered a deficit. I don’t lack social skills, I have great Autistic social skills, my non autistic social skills are likely better than many non autistic people’s autistic social skills. The way I experience and react to the world is different – not wrong. Some may see a 6, others see a 9”.
Autistic brains absorb every detail whereas the Predominant Neurotype (PNT) brain takes on only what their filter allows. Autistic brains are left with a trolley full – PNT’s have a hand-held basket. Each one puts their shopping through the till at the same speed, yes the PNT completes first, but they were not quicker.
But Autism does not exist in a vacuum – as Dr Luke Beardon’s Golden Equation clearly demonstrates: “Autism + Environment = Outcome”. Forcing Autistic people to conform to ways PNT brains experience the world only leads to unnecessary stress. Autism and neurodivergence is not the problem, but the rigidness of society.
In fact, one study shows that 47% of Autistic people fall into the category of having severe, debilitating anxiety. Autistic people are also nine times more likely to end their life than the PNT (Autistica, 2022.)
Anxiety isn’t an inevitable consequence of Autism, it is the result of continual stress from feeling like a square peg being forced through round holes.
Limited understandings are still prevalent – for instance, getting a diagnosis for a child can be an uphill battle, and trying to get one as an adult isn’t any easier. Rachel was one of many adults looking for a diagnosis later in life at the age of 40.
Rachel says: “Up until my diagnosis, I thought I was a broken human being, unlovable and a monster – it had always been assumed I wasn’t very bright or likely to achieve much in life. These same assumptions were still being made when I sat at my child’s parents’ evening 35 years on. The problem was never Autism or ADHD, it was the criteria we were being assessed under – like fish out of water – we were never going to succeed”.
At the age of almost 44 Rachel passed her PgDip in Autism with the amazing staff at Sheffield Hallam University – Rachel hopes to inspire her children and others to believe in themselves and push beyond the rigid societal stereotypes and expectations.
Rachel says: “To get my son’s Autism and ADHD diagnosis I had to fight for years because no one believed me because of their outdated knowledge of neurological differences and I feel this to be an issue of epidemic proportions because I am well aware that my story resembles that of many other Neurodivergent parents who tirelessly struggle to get their children the correct labels so that the wrong labels don’t destroy them as they did me”.
The one size fits all school curriculum combined with the visual and auditory noise that a busy mainstream classroom presents is often not suited to Autistic brains, causing undue stress and the ever present feelings of failure and exclusion.
“One of my children, then aged 6, expressed that he felt like a failure because his friends could do the school work he couldn’t. The National Curriculum is tailored for a very specific skill set and often leaves neurodivergent brains with no space to grow as nature intended. I don’t believe it is rocket science – if a plant isn’t doing well, we don’t look to change the plant, we look to change its environment”.
A key driver of my content is to give access to real life experiences in the hope that more people gain a true understanding of the everyday challenges that society can bring for Autistic-ADHD people, and create a network of support.
Neurodivergent people often feel like square pegs arduously fighting to be seen, heard and accepted while swimming against a perpetual tide of ableist stereotypes, unsolicited opinions, low level gaslighting and being forced through the merciless round holes of society, that ultimately results in damaging both society and the square pegs (Beardon, 2017).
It’s not that society needs to be flipped entirely towards Autistic/ND brains, or that people should change the ways of working that suit them – but that we create a society able to adapt to all brains and give everyone space to succeed and live happily rather than just cope.
I want to show that neurodivergence is something to be celebrated and not pathologised, enabling others to feel a sense of belonging and empowerment.
With special thanks to Dr Luke Beardon, Shona Murphy, Jenn Layton-Annable, Jodie Smitten, Caroline Lear and Mr. Ste Connolly for their continued support.
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