What is life like being neuro-diverse?

So, what can life be like being neuro-diverse? Interactions with our peers, particularly in childhood, is vital as so much of our learning happens outside the classroom. Through watching and imitating others around not only helps our social development. It builds confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem. It also allows us to start forming our sense of identity and makes us feel like part of a social group with equal status. However, difficulties in being able to do some of these things can result in our sense of identity being underdeveloped or distorted which can lead to anxiety, depression, or depressive disorders. Some children, especially if ADHD is in the mix, can experience disruptive behaviour and be labelled as unruly or unteachable. If the motor coordination difficulties are subtle or teachers/families are unaware of the condition, the child may be inappropriately labelled or misdiagnosed. All of this can, as you can appreciate, have a detrimental effect on their educational attainment and can directly impact their future career or education choices.

Ok, by now you probably have quite a negative, depressive idea of Dyspraxia. Yes, it can be everything I have mentioned above but, because of our challenges, we make different neural connections that allow us to be more creative. We often are able to perceive the world differently so can see things that neuro-typical people may miss. We are unique and have so much to offer the world.

I see my neurodiversity as just one side of myself. I am much more than that. To help improve my confidence and ability to manage I tend to try to manifest the confident side of myself I have named as Mama Boss!! She is flipping AWESOME. She takes control and has stern words with the quiet, shy, unconfident me who thinks she is “thick” or “stupid”. My mama boss knows I am anything but. So, here’s another special message from me to you!! Embrace your own mama boss!! This persona will look and feel different for everyone so make friends with them and they will look after you!!