Published on 12, July, 2020
Neurosplaining...By analogy with 'mansplaining', I guess; the act of telling a neurodivergent person how they experience their neurodivergence.
A new word for my vocabulary today, but wondered whether anyone else had heard it before.
I can't claim any credit for inventing this new lexical item here, but I like it and yes it does nicely sum up some rubbish we hear from others (sadly, often professionals as frequently as friends and family). I just came across it in a post on LinkedIn from a psychologist and neuroinclusion specialist. It's made my day. So, I thought I'd share.
My doctor neurosplains me every time he tells me I "suffer with autism". Or tells me he regrets that "he cannot cure my autism".
Has anyone neurosplained you recently?
So far I've had people say I don't look autistic and am I dangerous. I always feel judged around people.
Dangerous? Oh wow! That really is the hight of hurtful and ignorant.
I know that took me by surprise, very hurtful to hear. I've since bought an autism card that states I'm not dangerous and need time to process things. Please be patient.
I thought it would be a sound thing to buy just in case.
i think sometimes it is even better to not mention autism but just address each challenge individually- eg say ‘I am sensitive to noise and lights’ . I find environments with many people overwhelming etc. It is sad but so many people see a negative connotation with autism and don’t understand what it means. But they are much more understanding when you point out specific challenges… it shouldn’t be like that though
It’s really sad because this document explaining needs of autistic students was meant to help but I worry it is actually being held against me now and making me be viewed differently in a non positive way
The sad thing is that I actually also have a support document from university which is meant to explain what it means to be autistic and what some of the challenges can be and how to best accommodate and it has some information specific to me. My supervisor initially didn’t read it as far as I can tell. Now I think he has but it now feels like he is just using it as a way to highlight my inadequacies. I feel quite discriminated against and some of the points he raises / claims about me don’t really apply to me and it just feels like the list has given inspiration….
I think that the card should not used terminology that served as an umbrella-term for professionals, because civilians start arbitrarily-slinging the terms around without understanding, I think it’s best to use layman’s-terms..
It bewilders me that anyone could think we are dangerous. Too much time judging and not enough time trying to understand us. I don't have an autism card, I have thought of getting one in the future.