In a society where we are encouraged, and sometimes forced to conform, life can become quite dysregulating for neurodivergent people. Feeling misunderstood, not good enough, or wanting to fit in, suppresses a person’s ability to be in full self-expression and wreaks havoc on the nervous system. The isolation and shame associated with being neurodivergent can create its own protective outputs, adding another layer to the neurodivergent lens. However, our diversity and differences are what makes us special, which should be celebrated and integrated, not suppressed or corrected to meet a certain standard. On today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer go over neurodivergence and how NSI can be a great tool to regulate, accept, and integrate the unique and diverse abilities of neurodivergent people. Our hosts explain what neurodivergence is and touch on the stigma attached to it, as well as the disparities among genders and people of color when it comes to diagnosing neurodivergence. They also highlight the invaluable skills and strengths of neurodivergent people and their need in our society. Neurodivergence is so common, yet so misunderstood. If we can learn to accept ourselves just the way we are, we can offer our gifts to the world, which is so incredibly valuable. By rewiring how we talk to ourselves and our beliefs around what it means to be different in this way, we can walk a path toward healing and creating a more inclusive, diverse, and beautiful society. Be sure to tune in to hear this and more! Topics discussed in this episode: What is neurodivergence? Neurodiversity vs. neurodivergence Neurodivergence and concurrent mental health disorders The stigma attached to neurodivergence and its implications Underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis disparities within populations What is neurotypical? ACE scores and neurodivergence Negative self talk and inner criticism associated with neurodivergence Invaluable skills and strengths related to neurodivergence Mimicking neurotypical behavior as a coping mechanism Common physical dysfunctions from stress overload Contact us about private Rewire Neuro-Somatic Coaching: https://brainbased-wellness.com/rewire-private-neuro-somatic-coaching/ Learn more about the Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coaching program and sign up for the fall cohort now! https://www.neurosomaticintelligence.com Get started training your nervous system with our FREE 2-week offer on the Brain Based Membership site: https://www.rewiretrial.com Connect with us on social media: @trauma.rewired Join the Trauma Rewired Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/761101225132846 FREE 1 Year Supply of Vitamin D + 5 Travel Packs from Athletic Greens when you use my exclusive offer: https://www.drinkag1.com/rewired This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com Trauma Rewired podcast is intended to educate and inform but does not constitute medical, psychological or other professional advice or services. Always consult a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances before making any decisions based on what you hear. We share our experiences, explore trauma, physical reactions, mental health and disease. If you become distressed by our content, please stop listening and seek professional support when needed. Do not continue to listen if the conversations are having a negative impact on your health and well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, or in mental health crisis and you are in the United States you can 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If someone’s life is in danger, immediately call 911. We do our best to stay current in research, but older episodes are always available. We don’t warrant or guarantee that this podcast contains complete, accurate or up-to-date information. It’s very important to talk to a medical professiona
One in five people are neurodivergent, according to the CDC.
But we know that when we look at studies and our experience, that many of us spend a lifetime masking our true selves.
And today we're going to dive really deep into this whole concept of neurodivergence, beginning a really big exploration of neurodivergence and its intersections with complex trauma and nervous system health.
Welcome to Trauma Rewired, the podcast that teaches you about your nervous system, how trauma lives in the body, and what you can do to heal.
I'm Elizabeth Christof, founder of Brainbased.com comma, an online community where we use applied neuroscience and somatics to increase resilience, re pattern stress response, and really create meaningful change.
And I'm also the founder of the Neurosomatic Intelligence Coaching Certification course, which is an ICF accredited course for therapists and coaches that teaches you to bridge the gap between cognitive frameworks and somatics by working with the nervous system.
And I'm your co host, Jennifer Wallace.
I'm a neurosomatic psychedelic preparation and integration guide, and I work through NSI and psychedelic healing to help people integrate their messages and bring those messages into the body safely to rewire for new pathways and really a new life.
So I'm so excited for this conversation today.
I think we should really start with, like, what is neurodivergence?
And this is kind of, in my own words, from a few of the various things I was reading as we were taking in this conversation.
And when I think of actually the one in five people, I really think, like, statistics are drastically underreported.
And so I just want us to keep that in mind as we're moving through this conversation.
But okay, what is neurodivergence?
So, neurodiversity describes differences in brain development and function from person to person that affects daily mental functions.
And this term embraces differences in brain function and behavior as a natural manifestation of our humanity's variety, of our diversity, rather than being pathologized and isolating for an individual.
And the concept of neurodivergence was introduced during the fight for autism awareness and rights.
Sociologist Judy Singer, who is autistic, coined the term in 1997.
And autism awareness, it really paved the way for the emergence and recognition of neurodivergence.
It has since gone on to encompass additional ways that brains may express themselves and function, and this will include complex trauma, ADD, Ad, ADHD, dyslexia, and many other neurodivergences.