The Power of the Voice: Why Neurodiversity Advocacy Helps Yourself and Others Matters

Lately, I’ve been busy speaking at public events, focusing on neurodiversity and the vital importance of claiming our strengths as neurodivergent individuals. This work has really pushed me to reflect on why this advocacy is so crucial.

After these talks, so many people have approached me—some with a diagnosis, some self-identifying—sharing their stories. They’ve talked about the challenges they’ve faced, struggles with getting a diagnosis, or even just sharing about a loved one's experiences.

In particular, I’ve heard from parents who appreciate the growing awareness around neurodiversity. They tell me they hope their children won't have to struggle the way previous generations did, navigating a world that wasn't built for their neurotype without understanding how their brains worked. Their stories emphasize just how important advocacy and sharing our lived experiences truly is.

The Core Pillars of Neurodiversity Advocacy

Advocacy, at its heart, is about visibility, validation, and inclusion. My practice, Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants (GBHC), is built on values like Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Excellence. Advocacy for neurodiversity is a direct extension of these principles—it's about helping people grow and creating an authentic space where genuine connection and acceptance can thrive.

Here are the three main reasons why speaking up and advocating matters:

It Reduces Stigma and Shame

There's still significant stigma around mental health and a pervasive shame in our culture about being "different" or struggling in day-to-day life when you’re neurodivergent.

A common coping mechanism is masking and camouflaging—especially in professional and social settings—to try and prove that we are "good enough". By openly sharing our experiences, we normalize this reality for a segment of the population. We show that there is nothing to be shameful about. In fact, when we embrace the things we do well and get support for our needs, there are actually great strengths and advantages to being neurodivergent.

It Promotes Acceptance, Inclusivity, and Strengths

While being neurodivergent can certainly bring challenges, it also provides unique perspectives and strengths. Neurodivergent individuals are often extremely creative; they can think outside the box and bring a fresh perspective to a world that doesn’t always see things from their point of view.

My personal values are closely tied to this idea—Acceptance, Connection, and Authenticity are what drive GBHC’s commitment to Inclusivity. When we share our stories, we’re promoting the acceptance of neurodivergent brains, showing that there’s nothing "wrong" or "broken" that needs to be "fixed." Instead, we can build on these strengths and promote an inclusive environment where people who think differently are championed for their unique perspective. They are not ostracized or told that their struggles are inherently wrong, but supported for the way their brains work.

It Fosters an Environment Where Accommodations and Support are Normalized

When we are vocal about the challenges we face and clearly ask for what we need, we are setting the stage for others to do the same. This is about creating a supportive environment—a practical application of my personal value of "Helping others:"

This includes advocating for things like:

• Providing a quiet workspace.

• Allowing for a flexible work schedule.

• Normalizing that brains work differently, people think differently, and that these differences are celebrated because they bring a different perspective to our world.

  
  

We have to normalize the idea that providing accommodations should apply to all people, not just those with a specific diagnosis.

How to Advocate For Yourself and For Others

You might be asking, "This all sounds great, but how do I actually do this? How do I advocate?" Advocacy can take many forms, from private self-advocacy to public education.

Self-Advocacy If You Are Neurodivergent

This form of advocacy starts with self-knowledge and involves clear, assertive communication—a communication style I prioritize.

1. Increase Your Self-Awareness: Understand your brain. Identify your neurotype, your strengths, your challenges, and what traits you have that are related to being neurodivergent. The more you understand yourself, the more intelligently you can speak up about these things.

2. Honor What You Need: Once you know your needs (e.g., needing more frequent breaks for focus, or needing a quiet space), you must honor them. By claiming and owning these needs, you model for others what it looks like to be neurodivergent and that there is nothing "wrong" with you—it’s just who you are.

3. Communicate Needs Assertively: Clearly and assertively communicate your needs and any required accommodations to others.

   • For example, you might tell someone you need to cancel a social engagement because your "battery is drained" or that you need to catch up on work.

   • For the workplace, schedule a meeting with your boss, communicate your needs in writing, and do not apologize for needing them. Just state that it is a necessity for you.

4. Use Identity-Affirming Language: Use terms like "autistic" or "ADHD-er" to recognize that this is a part of their identity. Using language like this helps you own that your neurotype is part of who you are, rather than saying you are a person "with a condition".

5. Create Safe Spaces: Be an open ally for people who are different from you—whether that’s in their neurotype, racial/ethnic background, or sexual orientation. Be a person who is open about these things and creates a safe space where others can be open about their differences without fear of exclusion or shame.

Advocacy for Others: If You Are Neurotypical

If you are not neurodivergent, your role as an ally is to educate yourself, respect others' preferences, and actively create an inclusive environment.

1. Educate Yourself: Read, watch, and listen to information about neurodiversity from first-hand accounts—blogs, podcasts, and videos created by neurodivergent people. Understand that their neurotype is simply a version of who they are, not something that needs to be fixed. This pursuit of high-quality knowledge is rooted in the value of Excellence—a manifestation of my commitment to continuous learning.

2. Respectful Communication:

   • Ask people how they prefer to refer to themselves—this shows respect and avoids pathologizing them.

   • Do not speak for them. Instead, encourage and invite them to speak up and share their own experiences directly.

3. Promote Inclusion in Leadership: Encourage neurodivergent individuals to share their work and invite them into leadership roles or speaking opportunities. Their creativity and unique perspective are an asset to any team or community.

4. Advocate for Flexibility: In schools, jobs, and other environments, advocate for flexibility in how people go about their work. Create spaces that are accessible and designed for all ability levels and learning styles.

5. Model Acceptance: This is more than just "tolerating" or "putting up with" differences. You must embrace the idea that their way of being, thinking, and communicating is a strength and an asset to you and those around you.

I encourage you to find at least one way you can advocate for yourself or for others.

It doesn't have to be a major presentation. It can be as simple as:

• Picking up a book or listening to a podcast about neurodiversity.

• Starting a conversation with a friend about your own experience or what you learned.

I'm always intrigued when people start these conversations with me. It's a privilege to educate, share information, and help normalize the experiences of others, letting them know that they are not alone.

Your brain is great, you have so many strengths, and it’s about learning to understand the way your brain works so you can harness them. By taking that first step in advocacy, you are joining a vital conversation that helps us all build a more empathetic and inclusive world.

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