The Future of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice with Sonny Jane Wise
Jun 2, 2024
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Sonny Jane Wise, a trans, multiply neurodivergent & disabled advocate, discusses neurodiversity affirming practice, early diagnosis, disability, ableism, and intersectionality. They challenge societal norms and promote a more inclusive society.
Understanding the difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergence is essential in transitioning from a pathologising to neurodiversity affirming model of practice.
Personal experiences of early diagnosis and community support can significantly impact one's journey towards embracing neurodiversity.
Challenges in accessing support services stem from the intersectionality of identities, disabilities, and neurodivergence, highlighting the need for inclusive and respectful practices.
Deep dives
Complex Intersections Impacting Support and Services
The various intersections of neurodivergence, disabilities, and identities, including gender identity and sexuality, heavily impact access to needed support services. Challenges include finding professionals well-versed in multiple aspects, dealing with discrimination based on diagnoses like BPD, and facing barriers due to cancellation fees, communication barriers, and lack of diverse representation in services.
Importance of Lived Experience
Allowing individuals to speak for themselves in the neurodivergent space is crucial as speaking over and for people has been a common issue across marginalized communities. Encouraging self-representation fosters empowerment and authentic narratives, promoting a shift towards inclusive and respectful practices.
Future of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice
The future entails moving away from labeling individuals with disorders like in the DSM, meeting people's needs without the need to prove challenges, and disrupting neuronormativity. Advocating for a future where diverse needs are accommodated regardless of diagnosis, and challenging societal norms and expectations to create a more inclusive environment for all.
Need for Inclusive Participation and Questioning Norms
Encouraging neurodivergent individuals and allies to engage in conversations and challenge neuronormativity by questioning assumptions, expectations, and norms. Starting with self-reflection and questioning can pave the way for a more inclusive and accepting society where diverse voices are heard and valued.
Empowerment Through Self-Representation
Focusing on lived experience and self-representation empowers neurodivergent individuals to share their stories authentically and advocate for their needs. By embracing and amplifying diverse voices, we can work towards a more inclusive and understanding society.
For our final episode of the season we welcome Sonny Jane Wise to the podcast, to share their wisdom on all things neurodivergence. This is a fabulous ep to start with if you’re new to the neurodiversity affirming model, and also if you’ve been here a while!
Sonny Jane is a trans, multiply neurodivergent & disabled public speaker, advocate and author. Sonny was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD as a child and grew up only hearing a deficit narrative about their neurodivergence. Since then, they have gone on to build an audience of over 100, 000 people online, have written The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and We’re All Neurodiverse and has worked with organisations and services around Australia and the world to help change the narrative around neurodivergence and create a more neurodiversity affirming society.
In this episode we cover:
Key definitions of neurodiversity affirming practice, including the difference between ‘neurodiverse’ and ‘neurodivergence’ and between the pathologising / medical model of practice and the neurodiversity affirming model.
Sonny Jane’s experience of being early diagnosed under a pathologising model and the lifechanging impact of discovering neurokin and the neurodiversity affirming community.
Disability and ableism and neuronormativity (oh my!)
The intersectional impact of different aspects of Sonny Jane’s identity, their neurodivergences, and their disabilities, and how this intersectionality impacts their access to services.
The future of neurodiversity affirming practice.
You can find out more about Sonny Jane and access their content through their website.
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