Integral Life

3 Ways You Can Embrace & Support Neurodiversity

Ainsworth Ellis — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 08:42:44 +0000

When you think of diversity, you may think of age, gender and racial diversity. We all experience, interact with, and interpret the world in unique ways. Not every brain functions in the same way. This is the foundation of neurodiversity.

However, many aspects of the world are designed for what society deems normal or neurotypical – education, the legal system, healthcare, economy, housing and more. So, how can we support neurodiversity and neurodiverse people in the world around us?

Acknowledge neurological differences. Understand that people experience the world in different ways from the way they reason to how they view life to how they may experience environmental stimuli. When we recognize the differences in people all around us, we can help make the world a more equitable place. We can then begin to better understand the need for neurodiversity support, research funding and training.

Encourage self-regulation and exploration. While many individuals with autism enjoy routine, self-regulation helps individuals create boundaries and explore their limits. This type of exploration can lead to new solutions, creativity and increased confidence.

Celebrate neurological differences. We all contribute uniquely to our families, homes and communities. We must intentionally develop opportunities for people with autism to connect with the world and others in a way that works for them.

Embracing and supporting neurodiversity creates space in the world for people who think differently to shine and contribute to the world in a way that the majority may not ever consider.

3 Ways To Support A Person With Aspergers

Ainsworth Ellis — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 08:41:26 +0000

Aspergers Syndrome is defined by Oxford Dictionary as “a developmental disorder related to autism and characterized by higher than average intellectual ability coupled with impaired social skills and restrictive, repetitive patterns of interest and activities.”

Technically, Asperger syndrome is no longer a diagnosis of its own, but is part of a spectrum of autistic disorders. Those who may identify as someone with Aspergers’ syndrome may be highly intellectual, but may struggle in social situations. So what type of support would someone need who is living with Aspergers?

Where does Aspergers fit on the spectrum?

People with Aspergers, like other people on the autism spectrum, may communicate or socialize differently than others, however they also could display a range of gifts and strengths that may contribute significantly to society.

Someone with Aspergers may be known as being smart, high-functioning and even labeled as quite normal but may struggle in social situations. However, it could be harmful if their differences are minimized, because it may interfere with their ability to find adequate support.

Types of support for someone with Aspergers

Much of society is built for people who think and behave in the same way. For those who are neurodivergent, it helps to explore strategies and have conversations to help navigate the world as they know it.

Individuals with Aspergers may thrive when supported and nurtured through therapy, emotional and social support and routines.

Don’t make assumptions.

Every person with Aspergers’ experiences life differently. Each individual has different abilities and strengths. Judge the person based on their unique qualities just as you would anyone else. Ask questions about their preferences and how you may be able to support them.

Encourage routines.

Routines provide a reliable, safe and effective way for us to complete a task. Routines allow individuals to successfully achieve the outcomes they desire. They also build confidence for autistic individuals.

Get professional help

While your experience and input is valuable, coaching or tutoring gives you objective advice and expert observation from a dedicated professional. A coach can help with identity integration, sensory, behavioral and dietary review and support, individual education plan customization, college accommodations and more.

High Functioning Autism: Navigating Your Unique Strengths, Differences & Disabilities

Ainsworth Ellis — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 08:38:31 +0000

We are all unique. We all have neurological differences influenced by our genes, our biology, and environment. But should those differences make one person more or less normal than the other?

High functioning autism is a term that has been coined to identify individuals with autism who are able to “blend in” or appear normal to other neurotypical individuals or in “normal” settings. However, we must consider our definition of normal. If the world is designed for the majority, then someone who is a minority or who shows diversity would experience inequity because they wouldn’t be able to fit the design that was suited for the majority.

This method of describing indigivulad with autism also doesn’t take into account the various types of strengths, differences and disabilities that an autistic person may have.

A more effective way to describe individuals with autism is according to the autism spectrum disorder. The spectrum evaluates autism according to various skills and functions such as:

Information processing
Executive function
Sensory processing
Repetitive behaviors
Motor skills
Perseverative thinking
Social awareness
Verbal and nonverbal communication

What do people mean by high functioning autism?

High functioning autism relates to how individuals with autism engage in communication, social settings, sensory experiences, thought and behavior patterns in a way that allows them to navigate various life situations. WebMD defines high functioning autism as an informal term that people use to describe people “with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live

Independently.”

However, this term can be harmful when social and environmental factors fluctuate in a way that has a negative impact on the person with autism.

What if instead of looking at autism through the lens of what a person can do, what if we viewed autism through the lens of the person’s goals, desires and emotions?

What if instead of trying to force a person with neurological differences to become “normal”, we tried to understand their strengths?

Are definitions and labels really needed?

Labels can be helpful when it comes to diagnosis and understanding how someone relates to the world, however they can also be limiting when it comes to fully grasping the full spectrum of a person’s strengths, talents and challenges.

The label of autism can also help bring clarity and light into a difficult situation. Someone who is undiagnosed can suffer unnecessarily by trying to fit into what society deems to be normal. Every person, autistic or not, has a diverse contribution to the world that should be acknowledged, celebrated and respected. A label simply helps to understand those strengths and differences.

Oftentimes, there are also disabilities that could factor into a person’s overall well being as an autistic individual and their ability to find the appropriate support. It is important to acknowledge those disabilities so that you can explore remedies and care strategies.

What is neurodiversity?

While most human brains are similar in physiological makeup, every person’s brain functions differently. This is the core concept of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is the idea that every brain is made up of differences. Neurodiversity should not be viewed as something that needs to be fixed, but as a unique trait that should be celebrated and respected as a quality that adds to the beautiful colors of humanity.

If you or someone you love lives with autism, you may have experienced labeling that didn’t feel quite right to you. We are here to advocate and support those who are neurodivergent with the strategies, services and support to design a lifestyle and methods of engagement with the world around us and helping others understand who we are, to see others for who they are and to help others recognize the gifts and strengths of people with autism.

4 Different ways to think about your futur retirement

belinda — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 17:56:52 +0000

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Integral Life

3 Ways You Can Embrace & Support Neurodiversity

3 Ways To Support A Person With Aspergers

Where does Aspergers fit on the spectrum?

Types of support for someone with Aspergers

High Functioning Autism: Navigating Your Unique Strengths, Differences & Disabilities

What do people mean by high functioning autism?

Are definitions and labels really needed?

What is neurodiversity?

4 Different ways to think about your futur retirement

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