🔥 (Neuro)divergent: In Community #73

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“Neurodivergent POC creativity is survival. We design apps, write zines, and meme our trauma because the world won’t accommodate us." – Alice Wong

👉🏽 I was diagnosed at age 40.

In elementary school, “Works below potential” was a repeated refrain on my report cards. In high school, I was called a procrastinator. In my early career, I was looked at with wide eyes when I’d plainly (and maybe too honestly) express my understanding of situations.

I had always been told that I saw things a bit differently than many of the people around me, and at some level I had a sense that this likely ran deeper than how they labeled it.

Was it in spite of this or because of it that I was responsible for the first-ever Cannes Lion for Creativity – among other awards – received by the advertising agency where I worked?

Was it a fluke or an inevitability that I was the person seen as driving the most innovation across the brands I led during my corporate career – or that I’ve founded multiple brands, products, and companies since then?

By the time I was finally diagnosed with ADHD, it had been on my mind for years. In fact, on average, people experience a delay of ten years between experiencing mental health-related challenges and seeking out support.

I took the long overdue step of officially getting tested and seeking out support. It’s been a journey since then, but what I’ve known for a long time continues to be true.

👉🏽 What makes us different makes us stronger.

How we see and experience the world around us fuels our creativity and connectivity. Neurodivergence often allows us to diverge from the status quo and push for change in systems and structures that don’t serve us.

Our natural resistance to norms isn’t just a function of our minds – it’s a reaction to the norms resisting us in the first place.

For instance, Black autistic children are twice as likely to be wrongly diagnosed with conduct disorder. One study traces this to perceptions of being seen as mischief makers. Asian children are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to cultural stigma associated with learning challenges.

Resisting is often seen as negative, both mentally and societally. This comes to life at work and across our daily lives.

We know that 90% of Americans want to work where their mental and emotional wellbeing is prioritized, yet nearly 70% report no mental health resources are available with their employers. So many of us are going at it without the support we need.

👉🏽 So, take this as a call to action.

If any of this strikes a chord with you, take a step back and consider who might fit some of these descriptions in your life. Who might be resisting the norm, and why? Is it you, a friend, a coworker, or someone else?

If it’s you, seek out support. If it’s someone in your life, how can you support them?

Let’s work together to resist the ten year gap. After all, isn’t it about time for a new norm?

Last week, I included a quick poll to get some human intelligence (HI!) from readers like you. I’ve gotten great feedback, and as this newsletter and the community evolves, I’m looking to hear from you even more. So take a minute and let me know by selecting one of the options below – and if what you have in mind isn’t listed, just send a note to [email protected] to let me know.

Let’s make sure to keep writing our own narrative. For all of us – not just the few.

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In community,

Fahad