I don't know why I joined really. I'm new to the workplace and was encouraged to get involved with some of the employee groups - there's gender, LGBT, disability, volunteering etc.
I decided to join the neurodiverse one. I have ADHD and suspect possibly autism. From reading about this neurodiversity work group, it seemed like the kind of place people could talk about their struggles at work and gather ideas to put forward on how to make things better, which would hopefully inform policy. This appealed to me. I guess lately I've had an urge to say something meaningful or for my experiences to help someone or something.
Upon joining, there were a few things I already had in mind to raise from my onboarding. For example, a lot of rules in the team were often 'Use your common sense and don't take the piss rules' like when it comes to flexible working. I, like I think many ND people, often struggle with these and they cause a lot of anxiety and make me feel stupid.
Ideally I would prefer either specifics or at least examples of these common sense rules e.g. its fine to pop off for a coffee for 20 minutes any time you don't have a meeting and as long as you get your work done each day. It's fine to take your kid to the dentist for an hour as long as you tell the team you'll be out. It's only ok to take the afternoon off and make it up the next day if you get prior approval etc.
Instead what the group actually is is a group of people pushing the "My neurodiversity is a superpower" narrative. They are currently discussing their email signatures and whether they should mention their neurodiversity on it, with many of them suggesting things like "My ADHD makes me extra creative, empathetic and makes me think outside the box. However, please mark emails as important if they require an immediate response."
I reject the narrative that my ADHD is anything but a disability. I see no benefits to it at all. Yes I think I'm creative but I think it's completely separate to my ADHD. In the same way having blonde hair or liking horse riding is separate.
Yes ADHD means I can sometimes hyperfocus but I'd give it up in an instant if I could. I might get the urge to write a novel and spend four hours planning it out, but I'd rather that not happen when I'm supposed to be writing a report.
I would rather actually be able to follow through on plans and maintain that focus more consistently so that after a year I actually have a novel rather than 23 chapter 1s.
I would rather not have to rewatch all of my work meetings because I can't focus on what's being said unless I can relisten at 1.25x speed.
It feels like this is not a widely acceptable point of view. I often get the vibe (on reflection, in past workplaces too during inclusivity training) that people think the 'end goal' if you've fully accepted yourself is to see your brain as different but equally as good. As someone who doesn't subscribe to that, I feel like I come across overly negative. However, at the same time I think that when a group of people do subscribe to that, it prevents meaningful change and forces you to be "the right kind" i.e. more palatable kind of 'different'. It all feels very flowers and rainbows.
Just mentioning it to hear any thoughts really.
Use this forum to discuss neurodiverse parenting.
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Does anyone else find workplace neurodiversity spaces toxically positive?
HeydeHey · 15/03/2024 09:56
BoardLikeAMirror · 15/03/2024 19:59
I really hate the 'superpower' narrative. No, my autism is not a superpower. It has f'd up my entire life. I have politely made this point at work where they are fond of pushing this narrative. It isn't for me to say how someone else's neurodivergence affects them, and if they think it's a superpower, great for them; but please don't assume this is how it is for all of us.
toffee1000 · 15/03/2024 20:16
I hate the “superpower” bullshit too. I also agree that ASD and ADHD have fucked up my life hugely. I bet the parents of ‘severely’ autistic people would call it bullshit too (by which I mean those who are non-verbal, in nappies as adults, unable to ever live independently etc).
BoardLikeAMirror · 15/03/2024 19:59
I really hate the 'superpower' narrative. No, my autism is not a superpower. It has f'd up my entire life. I have politely made this point at work where they are fond of pushing this narrative. It isn't for me to say how someone else's neurodivergence affects them, and if they think it's a superpower, great for them; but please don't assume this is how it is for all of us.
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