How To Support Neurodiverse Members
Let's start with understanding neurodiversity! Neurodiverse individuals are those with developmental disabilities like autism, ADHD, social anxiety. But, point to understand that when we say disabled, it means they are differently-abled. Just like our unique personality. We all have our own struggles but these struggles do not define who we are. It defines a phase of the challenge and struggles we facing. For some this challenging phase can be short-term while for others it may be a bit longer.
Now, let's focus on understanding some terminologies
1. Aspie: Someone who has Asperger’s syndrome, which is on the autism spectrum.
2. Autism: a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive behavior, difficulties communicating, and problems establishing and maintaining relationships.
3. Autism awareness: A movement about spreading awareness and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum.
4. Neurotypical: A person who doesn’t display atypical thought patterns or behaviors.
5. Stimming: Self-soothing, repetitive body movements which autistic people do in response to over-stimulation or emotional stress. Common ‘stims’ are rocking back-and-forth motions, hand flapping, and arm and leg rubbing.
How to Support
Here are some resources that you will find helpful to support neurodiverse members better. These resources are informative and share a lot of information that all of us (Fellow Members, Listeners, Room Supporters, Chatroom Moderators) can use. All the texts in blue are hyperlinked and clickable.1. A Guide to Autism
2. Ways to Build Relationships and Rapport
3. Supportive Phrases and Questions for Member Chatrooms!
Supporting a member with the neurodiverse challenge
I hope you may find the above resources helpful. Members with neuro-diverse challenges like autism, ADHD, social anxiety can add different perspectives and strengths into our community. Everyone has challenges. But as a community, we can show respect, patience, care, and compassion to them and each other. Compassion goes a long way. Let's be kind to our fellow neurodiverse members.
Please do share if you have more resources, tips to support them better in the comments of this post. We will continue to strive to offer support and learn how to support each other better and together.
Resources Credits: @gracey @sunshinegiraffe123 @Fristo
@ASilentObserver
Can we talk about other forms of neurodiversity too? The focus is mainly on Autism which of course I'm all for and support but there are other aspects to it too...
Hopefully this can become an official training since autism spectrum is now an official 1 on 1 topic.
