If you have been following our journey for a while, you will be well aware that we talk about Neurodiversity ALOT! We find this term so useful when talking to families and schools. The term “Neurodiverse” is the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning and behaving, and differences are NOT viewed as deficits.
This is also helpful for us presently, in a time when the SEND system is at its most stretched. Children are struggling to get an ” official” diagnosis because of referral push backs, funding issues or trying to beat an ever growing NHS backlog. This where we can still talk to our kids about their own differences WITHOUT the need for a label.
Now, before I move on I want to stress that for us personally, getting official labels ( ASD, ADHD SPD etc ) has been extordinarly helpful. It has meant that we have been able to learn about Archie’s specific needs and meet him where he’s at. This means that team Awesome will ALWAYS recommend the official diagnosis route. However, we know that for so many, that is not currently achievable. This is when talking about Neurodiversity can open the door to a really great conversation with your loved ones.
Its important to share that everyone thinks, learns and processes information differently. Neurodiversity is all about recognising this, and understanding that people’s brains work differently to the next. For instance, if you are autistic or have ADHD, these differences can be more far more obvious. It’s a great idea to talk to your child about these differences and help them be more accepting and understanding of their own neurological differences.
So please, don’t feel like you need a label to address a really important issue with your child. Trust your gut and go for it 🙂 As Awesome Archie says ” neurodiversity rules, be proud to be YOU!”
