Exploring Neurodiversity through an Intersectional Lens

There are natural differences in our brain that can contribute to autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodiversity. In "Exploring Neurodiversity through an Intersectional Lens," Dr. Clare Stevenson emphasizes why it is important to acknowledge the ways that these differences can intersect with other identities, such as race, gender, and sexuality, especially in the workplace.

Neurodiversity means recognizing brain differences, such as Autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, as natural and valuable parts of human diversity. However, we cannot fully understand neurodiversity without accounting for factors such as gender and race, and identifying as LGBTQIA+. This fuller view of our complex identities is called intersectionality. Intersectional identities contribute to experiences of privilege or oppression. They also shape how we experience neurodiversity. We may not get the same support and acceptance for neurodivergence because of our intersecting identities. We may not even get diagnosed.

A feminist approach emphasizes the importance of gender. People often underdiagnose neurodiversity in women and girls because many diagnostic tools were originally based on studies of boys and men. This has caused a lot of neurodivergent women to be misunderstood, overlooked, or pressured to hide their traits. Many neurodivergent individuals also learn to “mask,” meaning they suppress parts of themselves in order to fit certain social expectations. While masking can seem to be supportive and to protect oneself from judgment, it can have a long-term negative impact on someone’s stress level and potentially even lead to burnout and identity confusion.

Race also creates serious barriers. Black neurodivergent children, especially Black girls, often receive less support than white boys, even when they have similar needs. This underlines how racism, sexism, and ableism intertwine to make diagnosis and support for individuals less equal and not fair. A feminist perspective can help to show how the system often centers white cis-male experiences while pushing people of color and anyone identifying as female to the margins.

LGBTQIA+ identity is another important part of the discussion. Neurodivergent people are more likely than others to identify as LGBTQIA+, and LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to be neurodivergent. Because of this overlap, many neurodivergent individuals experience a lot of discrimination. This can lead to individuals feeling excluded from neurotypical spaces as well as from queer spaces that do not fully understand neurodivergence.

True and full inclusion requires more than just accepting neurodiversity. It means that workplaces and institutions need to understand the connection between gender, race, sexuality and disability. We have to challenge microaggressions to create safer spaces, and change policies to support people from marginalized groups. From a feminist perspective, the main message is that inclusion must center the voices of people who face overlapping forms of discrimination, especially women, girls, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ neurodivergent individuals.