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"Neurodiversity and What It Means to Belong" by Soren Anderson

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 This past week, here at Dalat International School, students from every grade had the opportunity to witness panels featuring neurodivergent students and staff from every walk of life. These panels, held during Wednesday and Friday chapels, allowed individuals diagnosed with various forms of neurodivergence, including ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, autism, and others, to share their personal experiences with their conditions.  The panels provided the students and staff with an outlet to share both the perks and struggles of being neurodivergent, as well as to address any misconceptions or harmful stigmas they’ve encountered. The panel members unanimously encouraged the student body not to generalize people with neurodivergence, as everyone has unique experiences and navigates the world differently. Furthermore, they reminded us that being neurodivergent has nothing to do with effort and intelligence and everything to do with experiencing the world through a different lens.

Ms. Carin Loraine, the panel’s moderator and director of Neurodiversity Week, worked hard to arrange the panel and encouraged students throughout the week with messages and videos that offered opportunities to learn more about belonging and uniqueness. When asked about things to be cautious of, Ms. Loraine noted that it is important to remember “fitting in is the opposite of belonging.” She explained that trying to “fit in” forces you to change parts of yourself in order to align with what a certain group considers “normal.” Belonging, on the other hand, is being included and equally valued regardless of how you measure up to another person’s standards.

When asked about the most important change we can make as the Dalat community, she encourages us to “be curious rather than critical.” It isn’t wrong to ask questions, but the danger comes in your intent.  She also added that the path to destigmatizing asking for help comes when we all “speak more openly and freely about neurodiversity” and “stop using labels as slurs.” Only then can we “normalize asking for help.” What is important is that when we are struggling, we feel comfortable asking for the help we need. Furthermore, if we see friends struggling, it is our responsibility to encourage them to seek out the help or accommodations that will put them on a path to growth.

All in all, last week’s panels served as the perfect culmination of another successful Neurodiversity Week.

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