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?
Oooh if they open their minds you are their best asset.
Yep- the autism advisor at my university. It doesn’t feel good. I’m having some issues with my PhD and supervisor- and I don’t think this is only due to me being autistic… The autism advisor is supportive but somehow everything gets put down to autism which I don’t think is true.
Yeah, probably the area where I've unmasked the most. I've stopped even trying to couch things for NT sensitivities.
Not deliberately trying to hurt anyone but if they don't like my truth, don't ask my opinion.
You're making me laugh now
I told a family member right at the start how autism has affected different parts of my life, I got in reply, “no autistic people don’t talk and stare at walls”
Rainman was such a double edged sword, if all autistic people could sit in a Casino for an hour per day and count cards, why do as many who can go to work everyday?
Exactly it's such an NT thing to say.
Yeah professionals need training in autism. It's discouraging to hear a professional say he doesn't believe autism exists. Training would be beneficial for them and for us.
Thank you for the welcome .
Me too. I don't think you can look autistic, autism is something I feel, deep inside. It's part of me.
I wonder about this myself..
That's true - I have to say that the doctor I see now is the first one to accept, understand and engage.
Some are genuinely interested in learning, developing their knowledge and ability in their profession. The rest just get the NICE handbook out..
And that's just one flow chart after another. Basically, anything they encounter that doesn't tick the boxes, they flounder.
One I hear regularly is 'oh you don't look autistic:.
Annoying as f***.
What is autism even meant to look like?
Yes... I.T., maths.
Or you'll have a special talent...
Mine is being direct...
It’s such a lottery how some doctors are so ‘clued up’ whilst others will never understand or worse actually accept autism exists.
I was scared I would be taken away from my home, really frightening..
I knew Depression wasn't the problem - even if I didn't then know what was - but she was having none of it... stupid patient/smart doctor syndrome...
I had to ask my brother to be my advocate, who is himself ND... Not that she knew or even noticed that...
The whole thing was farcical, looking back, but very upsetting at the time.
Being heard can be so very difficult to achieve.
‘Well the bad-news is that the waiting-list is a year-long, the good-news is that you likely won’t be going anywhere ’..
Would have been the perfect moment for it. How rude of them.
How awful.
In general I forgive the public more easily than professionals who ought to know better
And welcome to the community :-)
Oh God! Sounds awful. I have had doctors try to bully me into those things too.
There are some good ones out there. Some will be autistic themselves or have autistic relatives.
Yes, had that neurosplained too. I take it as a moment to educate