#adhd advocacy

[vivianseda]

Thank you to Our Sensory Life

“I spent to many years thinking it was normal to be trapped like this and I was just 'lazy'.

If you relate to this, please hear me, you're not lazy. I know how bad it feels.”

Photo credit: Dani Donovan

[noisycowboyglitter]

Neurodiversity Embrace ADHD: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

Neurodiversity is a powerful concept that flips the script on ADHD. It recognizes that ADHD brains function differently, not defectively. This unique wiring brings a vibrant mix of strengths!

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People with ADHD often excel at creativity, hyperfocus (becoming deeply absorbed in an activity), and problem-solving from unique angles. Their boundless energy can fuel passionate pursuits and innovative thinking.

Embracing neurodiversity means appreciating these strengths and finding ways to manage the challenges. For example, fidget toys can channel excess energy, while visual schedules can support focus. Chunking tasks into smaller steps and creating a stimulating environment can make a big difference.

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By understanding and celebrating neurodiversity, we can create supportive environments where individuals with ADHD can thrive. Schools, workplaces, and families can all benefit from this shift in perspective. Imagine a world where everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique talents – that's the power of embracing neurodiversity!

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental difference that affects how people process information, interact with others, and experience the world. It's a spectrum, meaning everyone with ASD experiences it differently. Common traits include challenges with social interaction, communication (verbal and nonverbal), and

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repetitive behaviors. People with ASD may also have sensory sensitivities, meaning everyday sounds, lights, or textures can feel overwhelming. However, ASD is also often accompanied by unique strengths like intense focus, exceptional memory, and a keen eye for detail.

Finding the perfect gift for autistic adults can be thoughtful! Consider sensory preferences. Weighted blankets and noise-canceling headphones offer calming comfort. Fidget toys and textured items provide stimulating input. Interests can be a great

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guide too - social stories for navigating situations or games for communication practice. Remember, personalization is key!

[crippledpunks]

i wanna say fuck you to anyone who shame disabled, chronically ill & neurodivergent people, especially homebound folks, for "spending too much time on their phone/on the internet/etc." when it's the only (Somewhat) accessible way for them to experience the world. many people don't get to get out much even if they want to because of their disabilities. shaming someone for trying to connect with the world, make friends and engage with hobbies in ways that are accessible to them is beyond cruel and unnecessary

[hashtagmushlove]

6/13/2023 - DadHD

I have ideas that fly through my mind every day, and it just so happens, that ChatGPT is able to bounce these ideas off my mind very well, in a very productive manner, very, very quickly. So quickly, that I can almost create a whole business during a work day. Enter DadHD: The High Definition Father. I want to start a support group, that contains resources for fathers with ADHD and fathers to…

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

“alt text for more info” “turn on cations for more info” no actually this is not where more info goes. These have a very distinct purpose. There are plenty of other places for more info. If you’re going to make your post inaccessible, the least you could do is not use accessibility tools at your own leisure for whatever purpose you see fit.

[kalethemonster]

what neurotypical abled people cant seem to get into their heads is aids and medication dont stop people from being neurodivergent and/or disabled. hearing aids dont stop deaf or hard of hearing people from being deaf or hard of hearing, it just makes hearing easier mobility aids such as canes or crutches dont stop people with arthritis, chronic pain, or just general mobility issues from having arthritis, chronic pain, or just general mobility issues, it just makes getting around easier

pain medication doesnt stop people with chronic pain stop being in pain (specifically in the long term), it just makes pain management easier

fidget & stim toys and fidget & stim jewelry dont stop people with anxiety from having anxiety, adhd-ers from having fucked up exectutive function, and autistics not being able to automatically regulate emotions and sensory responses, it just makes dealing with them all easier

various adhd medications doesnt make people not have adhd anymore, it just makes it easier to regulate their executive function.

anxiety medication doesnt get rid of anxiety, it just makes it easier to deal with.

white canes and sight specific service animals dont stop blind people and people with sight impairments from being blind or having sight impairments, it just makes living with them easier.

trauma and emotional support specific service animals dont stop people from having trauma and emotional issues, it just makes dealing with them easier

anti-depressants dont stop people with clinical depression from being depressed, they just make it easier to deal with by stabilizing mood.

immune suppressants dont stop people with any autoimmune condition(s) (such as crohn's, psoriasis or psoratic arthritis, rhumitiod arthritis, myasthenia gravis, fibromyalgia, ect.) being affected in any way affected by their autoimmune condition(s), they just make living with the condition(s) easier.

medication and aids arent magic. they dont make the disabled and/or neurodiverse person not disabled and/or not neurodiverse, they dont entirely cancel out the thing they are used/pescribed for, they just make it easier to exist in a world where whats considered "normal" or "independant" or "a regular human being" doesnt automatically include them.

[a-sassy-bench]

we need to normalize taking medication in public. take those pills out in the middle of a work meeting and shake them like maracas in the spirit of inclusivity.

.

[loud-sound]

disabled people: i don't wanna "use the disability card" to miss class today...

also disabled people: semi-conscious on the floor

[fantasy-frog]

To anybody who might see this, July in the states is disability pride month. As someone who’s past decade plus has been a journey towards understanding, accepting, and advocating for my psychological and physical disabilities and my whole life, aiding disabled family members, I want make it known that: the way many of us feel you can help us the most, is not by “pretending” we’re abled, like we’re just like everyone else, because we’re *not*

When disabilities are ignored, or treated as just “uniquely abled”, it falls on the disabled to maintain abled people’s comfort; to make our disabilities small, to not advocate for equity and the bettering of our lives in a supposedly equal society.

Equality is not equity.

Differences must be acknowledged, understood, and worked around *by abled people* for any true progress to be made.

Most people think this is government related. I know abled people as individuals can’t change that there’s little to no wheel chair access in their bustling city, that the sidewalks are cracked and filled with lips. An abled person can’t make public schools treat autistic kids with humanity, or children with memory-relates disabilities able to always have notes for their exams. They can’t make the employers stop firing us, or the government give us our right to marriage when living under SSI.

What I’m asking for is Empathy. True empathy. The kind that informs your beliefs, and actions. Talk to disabled people. Get to know them. I promise you, you have a disabled person in your family or social circle. Really be inquisitive about their experiences, struggles, and frustrations.

Acknowledge your privilege. Your ease of access to the world. Really sit in it. Absorb it. Your empathy will only grow. And when enough abled people do even just this, the world for us becomes less hostile. It becomes more livable. We become no longer burdens, but cherished by our communities, our families and friends. And trust me, even though the world is not built for me, and I have to consistently jump through 10,000 hoops to achieve even the smallest of victories for an abled person, and my body hurts and breaks down, so I get in a chair on wheels, or get out my cane, or put on my noise cancelling headphones, and just come across obstacle after obstacle -

The majority of the pain comes from the stares. The glances. The questioning. The points when you see the patience leave the eyes of the one who you thought loved you unconditionally, and you remember your place in our collective culture. And fuck man. You recall how workable all the bureaucracy and hurdles felt, how manageable it was to push forward (it’s what you always do) … before you were reminded of where you sit on the totem poll, and how conditional worth is in our society.

Disabled people are worthy. We are valuable. But we need you to believe it, or nothing will ever change.

[tourettic-tulip]

your neurodiversity advocacy is not true advocacy if you only include people with ADHD and low support needs autism in it

[vivianseda]

Thank you Em @ NeuroWild

“Many ADHDers are impulsive.

Many AuDHDers are impulsive.

Compared to our peers, we might have significantly more difficulty controlling our impulses, especially when overloaded or uncomfortable.

We don’t make the choice to be impulsive.

It just happens. It is literally a part of our disability.

And when it happens, we don’t need to be shamed for it.

In a classroom scenario, I doubt many teachers are publicly shaming students for struggling with maths, spelling, or academic curriculum. They’re not putting names on the board of kids who had a hard time reading or couldn’t grasp science concepts.

Being impulsive is the same. We will get there eventually.

It’s something to learn, something to develop and practice.

It takes time, support, and maturity. Some of us are better at it than others.

Adults need to understand and give us a freaking break.

Yes?

Em.”

[noisycowboyglitter]

Neurodiversity and ADHD: Celebrating the Strengths of Different Minds

Neurodiversity Brain ADHD highlights the concept that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a natural variation in human neurology rather than a deficit or disorder. This perspective, rooted in the neurodiversity movement, celebrates the unique cognitive style of individuals with ADHD.

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The ADHD brain is characterized by differences in executive functioning, attention regulation, and impulse control. These variations can lead to challenges in traditional settings but also contribute to strengths such as creativity, hyperfocus, and out-of-the-box thinking.

Neurodiversity advocates emphasize that these brain differences are not inherently problematic but can be advantageous in certain contexts. They promote understanding and acceptance of ADHD as part of the diverse spectrum of human cognition.

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This approach encourages society to adapt environments and expectations to accommodate ADHD brains rather than solely focusing on changing the individual. It emphasizes the potential benefits of ADHD traits in fields requiring innovation, problem-solving, and quick thinking.

By embracing neurodiversity, this concept aims to reduce stigma, promote self-acceptance among those with ADHD, and foster a more inclusive society that values cognitive differences.

Autism Awareness Month Colors are primarily associated with the puzzle piece pattern in shades of blue, red, yellow, and light blue. These vibrant hues symbolize the diversity and complexity of autism spectrum disorders. Blue, often the dominant color, represents calmness and acceptance. Red signifies strength and determination,

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while yellow embodies hope and positivity. Light blue adds a softer touch, representing support and understanding.

These colors are widely used in April, Autism Awareness Month, on ribbons, clothing, and various promotional materials. They serve to increase visibility, promote understanding, and foster acceptance of individuals with autism. The bold, eye-catching combination helps draw attention to the cause and encourages conversations about neurodiversity and inclusion.

Choosing a gift for someone with autism can be fun! Consider sensory preferences. For calming input, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, or fidget toys are great options. If they seek

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stimulation, a lava lamp, light projector, or textured playdough can be delightful. Social stories or games that focus on communication can be a helpful and engaging gift. Remember, it's always best to tailor your gift to the individual's interests.

[crippledpunks]

chronic fatigue weaves its way into everything. people love to tell disabled people they'd love to rest as much as we do, but they fail to understand how tired we are while we rest. we are not relaxed, we are generally pretty miserable, either from pain, irritability, or fatigue- which bleeds into every aspect of your life. being too fatigued to get up off of the couch means that you're too fatigued to get to the cupboard to pull out pans to attempt to start cooking.

the steps hidden within steps that are required to do a lot of tasks related to being a "functioning adult" are daunting, there are often way too many steps necessary to make "Simple" foods or do "simple" chores for disabled people to accomplish these tasks. chronic fatigue often means that even waking up from a nap or night's rest requires time to adjust to and power through

waking up is a process for me. im often no more alert and awake hours after i've woken than I am right after doing so. caffeine does not help fatigue- at least not at safe doses, for me, anyways. many days the act of moving from my bedroom to my living room is too much. taking dishes to the sink can be too exhausting. i have began falling asleep in front of the kitchen counter while standing because i realize the amount of steps required to clean the counters, or do the dishes, or prepare a meal that all of my energy instantly bleeds away

it's okay if you feel this way too. i have been dealing with chronic fatigue my entire life and it cost me my best paying job. i lost my ability to work because of it. it's not just you being "sleepy", you are genuinely too exhausted to function. you do NOT have the energy levels other people do, and that's okay. it's okay to let yourself be tired sometimes and address that instead of trying to pretend you're not tired.

i wish you good luck. you are loved

[ontheoutside-lookingin]

Clinical misdiagnosis is more common than self misdiagnosis. Just for the record, in case anyone is still skeptical of self diagnosis :) it’s not up for debate btw

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Gentle reminder that your disability and/or chronic illness struggles are valid, even if others have it worse. It’s not like there’s one definitive Most Disabled Person In The World and they’re the only one entitled to accommodations or reactive emotions. That’s not how it works <3

[noballoonsinspace]

Misbehavior is not a reflection of merit Misbehavior is not a reflection of character Misbehavior is not a reflection of intelligence Misbehavior is not a reflection of work ethic Misbehavior is not a reflection of morals or values

Misbehavior is a reflection of well-being Misbehavior is a reflection of environment Misbehavior is a reflection of power dynamics Misbehavior is a reflection of support systems Misbehavior is a reflection of how someone is treated

“Bad” kids don’t misbehave hurting kids misbehave traumatized kids misbehave abused kids misbehave neglected kids misbehave scared kids misbehave lonely kids misbehave grieving kids misbehave stressed kids misbehave overwhelmed kids misbehave burnt-out kids misbehave

Its not a “tantrum” or a “fit” or a “bad kid” with “unacceptable behavior,” it’s a cry for help

When kids misbehave, stop “punishing” and “disciplining” and “reprimanding” them

When kids misbehave for the love of god just help them

And P.S. this basically applies to adults as well