• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 379 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

How has being Neurodivergent worked in your favor?

KuriouslyAutistic44

Bountiful Greetings everyone! I have read a lot about how "challenging it is to be autistic or neurodivergent in many ways". I am curious to hear the ways being neurodivergent is working for people. What are somethings people have discovered they liked about themselves or learning to like about themselves in understanding who they are as a neurodivergent person. 

For me, realizing I've lived like this my WHOLE life being AudHD without support and I am still here says a lot about resilience for me. Since discovering this, the inner conflict and turmoil is not as intense because I no longer ask, "What is wrong with me?". I am showing myself more compassion and understanding that my being expresses on this planet differently.

I am more honest or expressive with myself then before. I ask questions or clarifications without worrying if I am "being too much." I am learning what my needs actually are, so I know what to ask for and who is truly my support. 

Look forward to hearing your comments.

  • My special interests are the best thing for me. I think life would be pretty boring without them.

  • I think being autistic has worked in my favour in my professional life recently. As I have an offical diagnosis I now feel confident displaying I’m autistic and requesting reasonable adjustments which is good and I’m able to thrive at work. I am really good at following rules at work and focusing on the work at hand. This makes my performance at work pretty good and my mangers happy with me. Also if my manager gives me clear objectives and targets I’m good at focusing and achieving them.

  • It can be hard at times to see the positives but I am definitely more self aware of myself and how things affect me since being diagnosed. 

    How observant I am definitely works in my favour. I notice every little thing and that's been a big help to me, like in the past I notice if the smoke alarm stops flashing if the batteries die. My dad always comments on that. :) 

    Being observant is one of my favourite autistic traits.

  • I'm good at noticing small sounds which was advantageous when finding springs in a forest for chemical testing. I could hear them 10s to 100s more meters away than the others in my team

  • I agree resilience is a key thing, but sometimes the stress I've gone through that was unknowingly my ADHD/ASD could have been avoided had I known. My mental health has suffered for years as as a result so I do regret finding out so late.

    Anyway you asked about positive things... I think the one that stands out for me, is having obsessive levels of focus has meant I will get something done, even if it's something I have no idea about , I'll learn, persevere and do it, most times far better than others would have.