This post isn’t to exclude anyone or anything, I’m just curious how people understand the term.
According to the Cleveland Clinic:
People who identify themselves as neurodivergent typically have one or more of the conditions or disorders listed below. However, since there aren’t any medical criteria or definitions of what it means to be neurodivergent, other conditions also can fall under this term as well. People with these conditions may also choose not to identify themselves as neurodivergent.
- Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger’s syndrome).
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). […]
I think, as someone who was diagnosed with ADD when young and Asperger’s in my 20’s, the term applies. But I’d much rather be called Neurodivergent than other labels, if I had to pick one.
@Foon @Subito I’ve had cancer. It was in my brain stem. I do have brain damage now. I believe the brain damage made me come out of multiple closets including the autism one. I’m reevaluating my life right now and realizing that I was always autistic, but very good at masking. My cancer damaged my capabilities at masking.
I’m sorry that happened to you. Although it sounds like you really are using your experiences in a positive way, to evaluate and get to know yourself better. Would you like to share a bit about what the brain damage means for you?
@Foon The worst of it was seizures, double and blurry vision, walking with a walker. That is healed but I now have chemo brain (I get forgetful), I make more typos… and I came out of the closet as pansexual, polyamorous, into BDSM and autistic. I already knew I was pansexual but was monogamous with an opposite-sex partner for 26 years. I was advocating for polyamory but not for myself. I thought I could be autistic but never pursued a diagnosis. The surprise was the BDSM bit (caregiver Dom).