Embracing Neurodiversity and Queer Identities - SEE Change Happen: The Inclusive Culture Experts (2024)

The Convergence of Queer Identities and Neurodiversity

Helen Davies explores the intricate intersections of neurodiversity and queer identities, shedding light on the nuances of self-expression and the vital role of inclusive environments in fostering a sense of belonging and authenticity.

In this thought-provoking episode of The Inclusion Bites Podcast, Joanne Lockwood welcomes Helen Davies to explore the intersection of neurodiversity and queer identities. They delve into the complexities encountered by individuals who navigate these twin spectra, emphasizing safe spaces, acceptance, and institutional challenges. Helen highlights the significant overlap between neurodivergent and queer communities, advocating for increased understanding and support. Joanne shares insights into the challenges faced in professional and social environments when identities intersect, fostering a conversation around inclusion and equity.

Helen is an experienced nurse who has dedicated her career to supporting neurodivergent adults, drawing on her 36 years in emergency care to inform her approach. Her professional journey is coloured by her personal experiences as a gender fluid and neurodivergent individual, facing and overcoming challenges related to both identity and neurodiversity. Founder of Practical Wisdom, Helen's organisation provides invaluable support and advocacy, aiming to foster environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive. In this episode, she shares both her professional insights and personal journey, providing a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of living outside societal norms.

The discussion touches on the nuances of gender identity in professional spaces, the evolution of public understanding towards queer and neurodivergent identities, and the importance of symbols like pronouns and sunflower lanyards. Helen and Joanne emphasise the necessity of creating inclusive environments that not only recognise but celebrate differences. They also discuss the generational shifts in perceptions and language, reflecting a growing acceptance among younger populations.

This episode concludes with a powerful message about the importance of community, visibility, and advocacy for neurodivergent and queer individuals. It's a compelling call to action for listeners to engage actively in discussions about inclusion and equality in all spheres of life.

A key takeaway from this episode is the vital need for society to embrace and support the complexity of individual identities, promoting a culture where every person feels valued and understood. This dialogue is crucial for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of neurodiversity and queer identities, providing rich insights and practical wisdom that challenge listeners to think inclusively and act compassionately.

Quotes, Hooks and Timestamps

Exploring Intersectionality: “I’ve noticed that there’s a very, very high prevalence of neurodiversity within our queer communities.”
— Helen Davies [00:02:20 → 00:02:26]

Debating Gender Identity Services: “I think the trouble is is the a lot of the model in some in the gender services, there are more model, which is about you have to prove that you’re trans enough, that you want it enough, and you have to live a certain way for a certain amount of time, which isn’t about choice. That’s about proving you tick enough boxes to warrant that proceed those procedures.”
— Helen Davies [00:05:51 → 00:06:12]

Healthcare Inclusion Challenges: “Yeah. And I think that’s the hardest thing psychologically is we it felt like we were getting somewhere, you know, genuinely did. And then you’re like, suddenly like the whole rug’s been like whipped away.”
— Helen Davies [00:06:58 → 00:07:10]

Improving Healthcare for Transgender Community: “So and but there is there are places doing awareness training, trying to support people, putting in locally commissioned services for GPs, for annual health checks, doing different, like better initiatives to try and reassure the community that there are places where they can go and actually feel like they can get the care that they deserve.”
— Helen Davies [00:07:53 → 00:08:16]

Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace: “And interestingly, I came out as being queer, you know, over the decades a lot quicker than I came out as being neurodivergent, because it genuinely felt career limiting for a very long time.”
— Helen Davies [00:11:33 → 00:11:45]

Empowering Neurodivergent Individuals: “And like you said, I don’t need to know everything, but what I can do is, is I know the things in terms of what to deliver about the awareness, the common struggles that people have, the common things that help people.”
— Helen Davies [00:28:59 → 00:29:10]

Understanding Neurodiversity: “Everybody is different, but I think people who are neurotypical is a term obviously where it’s a majority of the population. So when there is still 1 in 5 or 1 in 7 who aren’t, then they’re the people who read the side of the curve, basically, in terms of whatever normal is.”
— Helen Davies [00:41:49 → 00:42:01]

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity: “What if we actually just talk about the difference is normal to be expected, you know, that actually we’re looking at what people’s strengths are, the things that they find tricky, you know, and that we’re just kind of managing to get everyone to not just thrive, but, but also work in harmony with each other to, to do the thing, whatever it is they’re trying to do at work or at home, or, you know, that, that they’re actually it’s embraced because, you know, the whole point Is about communities.”
— Helen Davies [00:47:13 → 00:47:45]

Understanding Unconscious Bias: “And you can have unconscious bias for sure. I I guess, you know, yeah, it’s it’s having some awareness and that that you might have an unconscious bias that, you know, you that you can think about, you know, inclusivity and what you’re actively doing to embody it in the workplace, for example, or the club.”
— Helen Davies [00:48:26 → 00:48:45]

Finding Your Tribe: “One of the things I think is important though, is I guess, is how you also find each other, how you find your tribe.”
— Helen Davies [00:49:31 → 00:49:39]

Definition of Terms Used

Neurodiversity

Definition: Neurodiversity refers to the variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions. It is a viewpoint that brain differences are normal, rather than deficits.
Relevance: Advocating for neurodiversity can lead to increased recognition and support for individuals with neurological differences, which includes developing inclusive policies and practices.
Examples: Autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Related Terms: Autism awareness, ADHD support, Inclusive education.
Common Misconceptions: Neurodiversity is often misunderstood as an excuse for poor performance or behavior, rather than an essential aspect of human diversity that requires supportive adjustments and understanding.

Intersectionality

Definition: Intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how aspects of a person’s social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege.
Relevance: This concept is crucial for understanding the complexities of multiple identities, such as both neurodivergent and queer, and how these intersecting identities can affect one’s experience of the world and access to support systems.
Examples: A transgender person with autism facing unique challenges in society that differ from those experienced by cisgender autistic individuals.
Related Terms: Multidimensional identity, compounded discrimination, social inequality.
Common Misconceptions: There is often a misunderstanding that intersectionality is only about adding up oppressions, whereas it is about understanding the nuanced ways different systems interlock and influence each other.

Genderqueer

Definition: Genderqueer is an identity label that denotes a gender that is neither strictly male nor strictly female and is outside the gender binary and cisnormativity.
Relevance: Recognising genderqueer identities helps in addressing and respecting individual experiences and expressions of gender, which challenge the traditional notions of gender.
Examples: Individuals who may dress, behave, or identify combining elements traditionally considered male or female, or neither.
Related Terms: Non-binary, gender fluid, androgynous.
Common Misconceptions: There’s a common misconception that being genderqueer is just a phase or a form of attention-seeking, rather than a legitimate identity.

Neurodivergent Champion Scheme

Definition: The Neurodivergent Champion Scheme refers to a planned initiative designed to create visibility, representation, and support for neurodiverse individuals within organizations and communities.
Relevance: The scheme aims to foster a supportive environment that recognises and utilises the unique strengths of neurodiverse individuals.
Examples: Appointing and training selected staff as champions who can provide guidance and support, creating awareness programs, and implementing supportive modifications in the workplace.
Related Terms: Advocacy, diversity inclusion programs, allyship in the workplace.
Common Misconceptions: There’s a misconception that such schemes only target helping individuals with visible or more commonly known neurodivergent conditions like autism, ignoring other types like dyslexia or dyspraxia.

Sunflower Lanyard

Definition: The Sunflower Lanyard is a discrete way for individuals to indicate that they have a hidden disability, such as a non-visible neurodiverse condition, and might need some additional support, understanding, or patience.
Relevance: The lanyard plays a pivotal role in subtly communicating the needs of individuals with hidden disabilities in public spaces and helps in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Examples: Worn by individuals in supermarkets, airports, or public transport to signal to staff and fellow patrons that they may need additional help or patience.
Related Terms: Hidden disabilities, accessibility aids, inclusive communication.
Common Misconceptions: A prevalent misconception is that if someone looks well, they do not need any additional support, thereby overlooking the importance of the Sunflower Lanyard.