issue 7: Neurodiversity is our Superpower 🌈

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange Hue? Noooo, Orange you glad we’re not all the same? 🤓

I couldn’t resist a bit of goofy neurodivergent humor to introduce this week’s topic of exploration. Neurodivergent humor expresses a particular style that reflects how the brain processes information and thus how the mind experiences and interprets the world. Appreciating our diverse humor styles can provide an entry point to better understanding the minds of those who may seem so different from the norm as to be undervalued and misunderstood. Most importantly, sharing a good laugh together can bring levity to any situation and humor is among the best medicines for easing the pain of simply being hue-man, whatever your cognitive color of the rainbow.

In addition to humor, there are many diverse forms of creative expression we (those of the “neurodivergent” ilk) use to bridge the chasms between the neurotypical and neurodivergent worlds while transmuting our very real struggles and challenges into gifts for all. While our ways of viewing and relating to the world may often seem ‘weird’, ‘off’, ‘intense’ or ‘crazy’ to the neurotypical way or perceiving, our different though equally valid perceptions and experiences of the world can serve to shake up the rigidity of a consensus reality which, sorry to break it to you, seems pretty darn crazy to us.

Part of what informs our unique perceptions is the tendency of the neurodivergent mind to occupy a liminal space between worlds. The capacity to act as a bridge of sorts can serve as an asset to communities and to the world at large. Just as traditional shaman would receive wisdom, knowledge and foresight through visions, dreams and “spiritual sight'“, many great minds in various fields of art, music, science, medicine and mathematics do the much the same. These abilities transcend the limits of the normal human sensory perception while indicating what any human mind is potentially capable of. In this way, the liminal mind brings not only gifts of special insight but helps to expand the awareness of those who’ve known only the confines of consensus reality.

In the exploration to follow I touch on various aspects and expressions of neurodivergence such as ADHD, autism, Tourette’s and schizophrenia. I’ve also scattered easter eggs about to demonstrate how a neurodivergent mind like my own makes seemingly disparate connections to tell a bigger and more interrelated story. See where you pick up on the interwoven connections for yourself!

This is the first of a series of posts I’m calling “All our Hue-man Colors” intended to express and invite appreciation for our diversity as well as honor the often marginalized and misjudged among us who are veritable treasure troves of insight, wisdom and creativity just waiting to be tapped. When a community actively fosters the unique contributions of a neurodiverse population—and our hue-man diversity in general—a great boon is assured, like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

In Truth, Beauty and Goodness,

B. Monique

P.S. This weeks newsletter is quite rich, a lot to take in, I know, though please don’t miss the neighbor interview at the end! Enjoy.

Find the full issue 7: Neurodiversity is our Superpower newsletter here.