During chapel two weeks ago (April 30), we had a panel of neurodiverse voices, prepared to share their perspectives and answer questions about neurodiversity!
It was very interesting to see how each person’s journey through their neurodivergence was uniquely different, yet relatable to each other. Ms. Lee, who has ADHD, didn’t learn about her diagnosis until well into her adulthood, while the children on the panel learned about their diagnoses early on thanks to the growing research and education about neurodivergent disorders.
This panel wasn’t done just for show, but to encourage everyone to develop empathy and understanding for neurodivergent people. Having the opportunity to listen to how varied the responses and experiences of the panel were, despite having the same neurodevelopmental disorder, was a great learning experience that Neurodiversity Awareness Week helps support.
Reflecting on my previous Senior Scribble, I want to reinforce how important it is to celebrate and embrace each other's differences, whether externally or internally.
Hearing the speakers with ADHD really resonated with me. I am fortunate enough to experience (and value) mostly support and care from the people around me, and I hope that this understanding for neurodivergent people will become the norm as time goes on.
Below, I asked important people who organized and participated in the panel follow-up questions about what Neurodiversity Awareness Week and being neurodivergent means to them. Take a read below.
Why is neurodiversity week and awareness so important and meaningful to you? Why is it important for Dalat to hold Neurodiversity Awareness Week?
“Personally, neurodiversity week and awareness week are important and meaningful to me because there is neurodiversity in my family. My son was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 (and later ADHD). He graduated from Dalat last year! I've seen firsthand how being misunderstood and being made to feel "different" impacted us and caused pain, but I also saw how his confident advocacy made a difference. My daughter was also diagnosed with dyslexia in 3rd grade and eventually ADHD as well. My kids are actually the reason I became a learning support teacher; the more I learned and researched, the more I desired to help and support others, the more I wanted to be a voice, not just for them, but for all students. I've seen how intelligent, compassionate, creative and hard working my kids and other neurodivergent students are–and I want to be someone who makes a difference like they have made a difference for themselves and friends, and like other compassionate adults have done for them! Now I am passionate about this topic because of all of the students I support and care for; some of them call me "mama Carin", and I know how hard they work and how much the various supports have helped them. I want everyone on this campus to experience being included and loved as they are; both Jesus and psychology research support that! Jesus's examples guide me in all I do as I work with others. Hopefully Neurodiversity Awareness Week ultimately builds compassion and understanding in us, helps us see where we are judging, excluding or harmfully labeling others. And maybe it helps some students or teachers investigate their own neurodiversity! My office is open. Bersama sama! You belong here.” – Ms. Carin Loraine (Head of Special Services & Learning Support Lead)
How does being neurodivergent impact your perspective on life?
“Being neurodivergent allows me to see things in a different light. It makes me realize just how complex humans are and how not one person is going to see things the same way, nor will they have the same experiences. Since my experience and my brain is unique, I'm more inclined to notice that in others, allowing me to make valuable human connections without knowing what that person is going through.” – Naomi Neiger (11th Grade)
Why is it important for Dalat to hold Neurodiversity Awareness Week?
“I think it is important to have neurodiversity week because I want those students who are struggling with their neurodiversity to know they are not alone and that the world is a better place because of them.” – Mr. Scott Uzzle (High School Principal)
As Neurodiversity Awareness Week comes to an end, and Mental Health Awareness Month begins, together, we can continue creating a knowledgeable and understanding environment together. Like apples and oranges, we all are superficially similar, but fundamentally different.
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