Neurodiversity Celebration Week starts today!

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17 to 23 March) starts today, which is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences, and empower every individual.

History of Neurodiversity Celebration Week

The week was founded in 2018 by Siena Castellon, an autism and neurodiversity advocate, who wanted to change the way learning differences are perceived.

As a teenager who is autistic and has ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, Siena's experience has been that people often focus on the challenges of neurological diversity. She wanted to change the narrative and create a balanced view which focuses equally on talents and strengths.

Purpose and mission

The purpose of Neurodiversity Celebration Week is to help the world to understand, value and celebrate the talents of neurodiverse minds.

The mission is to change the narrative, working together with schools, universities, and organisations, with the aim to:

• increase acceptance and understanding;
• provide education; and
• celebrate neurodiversity.

Working together to create a world that understands it takes all kinds of different minds.

What is neurodiversity?

When it comes to inclusion, neurodiversity refers to a world where neurological differences are recognised and respected as all other human variations.

Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as:

• dyslexia;
• DCD (dyspraxia);
• dyscalculia;
• autism; and
• ADHD.

But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognising those who think differently, and no matter whether you are at school, university, or an organisation, you can benefit from different thinkers.

Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference. Instead of labelling people with deficits or disorders, when we use the term neurodiversity, we take a balanced view of an individual's unique strengths and challenges.

Many "challenges" neurodivergent people face are more to do with the environment and systems they are placed in, often designed by a majority population.

Important information on neurodiversity includes:

• no two people are the same and so we will all have different profiles;
• although we talk about specific neurodifferences such as autism and dyslexia, the reality is that these can co-occur;
• every neurodivergent individual has a unique pattern of strengths and challenges;
• we tend to operate on an approach to diagnosis and labels, which can mean that quite often the focus is on the challenges rather than the many strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals;
• it is important that we take a person-centred approach, by tailoring strategies to each individual;
• it is important to harness the strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals, this helps to build confidence and self-esteem, and ensures individuals are given the opportunity to flourish in their day-to-day.

How to get involved

If we work together, there is no limit to the change we can make.

It is time to recognise the many strengths and talents that come from thinking and perceiving the world differently.

By celebrating the strengths of neurodivergent individuals, we can begin the seismic shift of changing the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported, empowering them to achieve their potential.

Together, we can change the narrative - you can register to take part in Neurodiversity Celebration Week here.

You can view the schedule events for the week and register for sessions here.

The Neurodiversity Celebration Week website includes packs to help organisations to get involved, including a:

• organisation pack;
• social media pack;
• neurodiversity quiz questions and answers;
• conservation starters document;
• resource hub;
• posters.

Other ways to get involved in Neurodiversity Celebration Week include:

• take part in neurodiversity training;
• listen to podcasts and webinars on neurodivergence and neurodiversity in the workplace;
• read the available guidance and fact sheets on neurodiversity;
• learn from your neurodivergent colleagues or neurodiversity staff network;
• start conversations around neurodiversity;
• identify and talk about your neurodivergent role models or ask your colleagues to share their experiences if they are comfortable doing so.

For more information on this subject, see:

• Neurodiversity smart employer guide;
• Future thinking on neurodivergent practice;
• Thinking differently at work.