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?
More for me to research :-)
Pegg said: I wouldn't want to be different though, I wouldn't give up my emotional intensity.
I understand what you mean, our worlds would be dull without it!
All on the internet:-)
Yes, my world would be colourless...a perfect way to express it.
I have numerous autistic pride t-shirts including one (my favourite!) that says Autistic To The Core with a multicoloured apple core. You can find some autistic pride T-shirts on Etsy or on this website below:
https://aut-couture.teemill.com/
Be autistic and proud!
Ausomely Autistic said:What if I feel it in such an extreme, primal and indescribable way that spoken language fails to encompass it?
This makes sense to me... in my life it hasn't been understood by the people around me at all and that's difficult. I wouldn't want to be different though, I wouldn't give up my emotional intensity.
I can't conceive of how colourless the world would be without it...
We attract each other….we are like magnets!
Simmerdown. Like that one too. My ex used to catch me in what we called a 'rumbling' stage aka: get me the F out of that overloading environment before it happens 'cos no one wants that
That's awesome Dawn!
Are those available to buy or are they custom made? I feel like I need to be wearing those now .
Neuroscope. Another new useful lexical item. Yeah I think I'm developing one of those. So many folk in my circle that I think are...one or two I've quietly said something to, and yeah they know it too but haven't sought a diagnosis. Birds of a feather and all that....
I feel Ausomely Autistic ’s definition of alexithymia behind that ‘yep’..
Exactly.... I think they’re probably talking about the much-more subtle ‘Autistic Simmerdown’..
In order for a ‘neurosplainer’ to catch me in meltdown, they’d have to pursue, corner and restrain me.. despite all of my safety behaviours.. and they likely wouldn’t be in-control for long-enough to deal with-it..
Yep
Us. I've got a T shirt that reads: " This is what Autism looks like". Lol
I got another that reads: "What? Is my Autism showing?" Lol
Dawn said: I love that my autistic emotions are 'full on'. I know I'm breathing when I feel and feel for others.
I love that my autistic emotions are 'full on'. I know I'm breathing when I feel and feel for others.
So do I, I love the autistic intensity with which I feel the world!
I found this brilliant description of autistic emotions online, I think you will relate to it:
Brilliant description of Alexithymia
Alexithymia ’I have a theory about this term. What if it’s not that I don’t know what I’m feeling, it’s that I don’t know how to tell you. What if I feel it in such an extreme, primal and indescribable way that spoken language fails to encompass it? And instead of allowing to feel deeply you have pathologised my unique emotional experience?’
https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/32333/alexithymia
DeSpereaux said:I have trouble conveying emotion and being emotionally-conveyed to, doesn’t mean I don’t feel the full range of emotion
Exactly!
Dawn said:Correction. I do indeed mean identity first.
Thought so!
If you are still passionate about the cause, which you obviously are then maybe you could consider going back into training.
You are very welcome! I hope the link can help you with your decision.
Dawn said:And you are so right that we need more involvement from non-speaking people. I read Emily Grodin's "I have been buried under years of dust" this year and was shocked to learn that parents of non-speaking kids are sometimes discouraged from giving them the necessary kit because it might prevent them trying to use oral speech.
Parents are falsely advised that speech is the gold standard in the neuronormative world, but there are so many beautiful alternative means of communication that could be life changing for our non speaking autistic members of the community. It’s such a shame that unnecessary harmful assumptions are made about our fellow neurokin just because they are apraxic and cannot use mouth words or sometimes control their bodies. Have you watched the film The Reason I Jump? It’s a brilliant portrayal of non speaking autistic people from all around the world. I particularly like Joss!
I love the word neurokin! I love the word neuroscope too- it’s the term I use when I can tell someone else is autistic.
To be fair I don’t talk and stare at walls a lot, but that’s only because my inner-world is richer that my environment, but I do take your point..
You know, I remember seeing a documentary on autism in the 80s. It said autistic people did not experience emotion.
My emotions are so visceral and intense even if I can't always find a word for them, I burst into tears at the thought that any human could be deprived of the such intensity of emotion that you know you are truly alive.
How little I knew that documentary was mis-describing me from the outside.
I guess it's moments like that that show who true friends really are and aren't.
How hurtful. I'm sorry you had to experience that.