This podcast with Dr. Sarah Bernard covers her experiences as a neurodivergent woman in healthcare, challenges of gender expectations, work accommodations, and mirror touch synaesthesia. It explores the myth of 'high functioning', the importance of interdependence, and advocating for disability representation. Sarah shares her journey to diagnosis, emphasizing authenticity and navigating neurodiversity in academics and medicine. The episode highlights the struggles of neurodivergent individuals in professional settings and the significance of disability accommodations.
Acceptance of interdependence over independence for disabled individuals is crucial for a more inclusive society.
Neurodivergence includes a wide range of brain differences beyond autism and ADHD, challenging common misconceptions.
Mirror touch synesthesia enhances empathy but requires adequate workplace accommodations for neurodivergent individuals.
Deep dives
Understanding Neurodivergence: Definition and Inclusivity
Neurodivergence encompasses a wide range of brain types diverging from the typical, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, mental illness, dementia, and epilepsy. This term, coined by activist Cassiana Asasumasu, emphasizes inclusivity and challenges societal norms that hinder neurodivergent individuals from thriving. Society's stigmatization and stereotyping affect people with various neurodivergences, even when managed or compensated. The primary meaning of neurodivergence lies in advocating for acceptance and supportive environments across all neurodiversities.
Broadening Perspectives on Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence extends beyond autism and ADHD to encompass a spectrum of brain differences, challenging common misconceptions. The podcast hosts explore the expansive nature of neurodivergence, highlighting that conditions like brain injuries and dementia also fall under this umbrella. By acknowledging the diverse range of neurodivergent experiences, the discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding individual brain setups, functionalities, and the societal barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals.
Navigating Challenges in Social Environments and Education
The podcast delves into Dr. Sarah Bernard's personal journey as a neurodivergent woman, particularly her struggles in social interactions and academic settings. Sarah candidly shares her experiences in medical school, reflecting on the heightened demands of university and the challenges faced due to her unique learning style. Additionally, she discusses the complexities of navigating social hierarchies and office politics as a doctor, revealing the impact of gender expectations and autistic communication tendencies on professional interactions.
Challenging the Notion of High Functioning and Embracing Interdependence
The podcast challenges the concept of 'high functioning' as not being a compliment or accurate for disabled individuals, highlighting the stigma it perpetuates. The speaker emphasizes that being disabled does not equate to shame and instead signifies having different needs. Discussing the shift from independence to interdependence, the focus is on how relying on external assistance can provide more opportunities and choices for disabled individuals, promoting a more inclusive environment.
Mirror Touch Synesthesia and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace
The episode explores mirror touch synesthesia, where individuals feel sensations experienced by others in their own bodies, leading to intense empathy. The speaker shares personal experiences of feeling physical sensations and emotions of others. Additionally, the importance of disability accommodations in the workplace is highlighted, with examples like direct interview questions and reading preparation time to support neurodivergent individuals in achieving success in their careers.
This week we welcome Dr Sarah Bernard on the podcast. Dr Bernard is a disabled autistic ADHDer doctor based in Perth. She is a research team member at Autistic Doctors International and is passionate about disability advocacy and neurodiversity in healthcare. We cover a lot in this episode, including Sarah’s experiences as a neurodivergent woman in university, medical training, and professional life, the intersection of gender expectations and neurodivergence when communicating, and work-based accommodations and strategies. Sarah also shares her experience of mirror touch synaesthesia.
Sarah shares with us her path to diagnosis, and her experiences ‘coming out’ as neurodivergent and as disabled. We talk about the myth of ‘high functioning’, what it means to be disabled, and the importance of interdependence over independence.
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