Spotlight: Neuro Divers
A post highlighting an Autistic content creator that has made a positive impact on my life.
Becky Ellis, the person behind the Neuro_Divers account, is a late diagnosed, neurodivergent, #ActuallyAutistic research officer working on a PhD that focuses on “improving autism diagnosis care pathways” and lives in Wales. They started “Neuro divers to engage with and learn from the ND community, plus to share useful research and information (with references).” Becky crowdsources responses from the neurodivergent community and posts the poll results in conjunction with relevant research including sources.
The vibrantly colored, multi-slide images include a lot of information in a visually pleasing way. There is a deep sea diver character to escort you along each post which becomes a familiar & welcomed sight on your IG feed. This diver has the neurodivergent infinity symbol on their helmet, and in a particular post titled “The Diver” it is revealed that Becky is the person underneath the deep sea diving helmet guiding you as the autistic abyss is explored together.
10 Neuro Divers posts that I recommend:
(My personal commentary is in italics for this post.)
“Unfortunately research on collecting in autism (especially positive research), is limited. Most literature details hoarding disorder or similar. Collecting has social and psychological benefits including: friendship, method for stimming, sense of pride, sense of progression and it’s fun! Collecting can help develop a sense of self and act as a memory aid too.”
I come from a long line of collectors which makes sense because neurodivergence is hereditary.
“There are arguably five stages of interoception. 1) noticing (there’s a feeling in my throat) 2) naming (it’s dryness) 3) linking feelings (it’s thirst) 4) understanding impact (I’ll get a headache if I don’t drink) and 5) taking action (I’ll get a drink).”
So You Want to Improve Interoception
“Each individual is unique, you know best for you, but here are some starting questions and exercises to help think about interoception.”
“I keep going until I can’t. I don’t tell people how much pain I’m in. It overlaps with my Interoception, I don’t recognise pain, hunger etc. I wait as long as I can before I tell someone. Executive dysfunction makes it difficult to manage. I’ve learnt to dissociate from pain until it becomes unbearable…Chronic pain is amplified massively during sensory overloads and meltdown.”
“The term “‘neurotypical” was originally used satirically but is now widely used. For a bit of fun I asked divers for criteria for suggestions for the neurotypical brain.”
“They can involve: feeling a loss of control, high anxiety levels, feeling angry or scared, skin itching, inability to speak, sluggish thinking, physical pain, self harming behaviours, crying, shouting.”
This is an enlightening post that showcases how other neurodivergent people experience meltdowns.
So You Want to Reduce Meltdowns
“During Meltdowns - Let's use Maslow's 5 categories of human need to prioritise actions, starting with the most basic human needs. Do you need: water? sleep? fresh air? shelter? the bathroom? are you too hot or cold? are you in comfortable clothing?
Are you somewhere safe? Do you have items to help feel safe (eg: stim toys, plushies)? Can friends or family help? Do you have some way to communicate with sources of support? Recognise your strengths and try to show yourself self-compassion.”
I am still working on recognizing my “rumble” stage pre-meltdown, and I plan to create a “Meltdown Kit” too.
“Until 2020, there was NO research on the autistic experience of the menopause. It's a hugely neglected area of research.”
“The following can impact ND experiences of sex: interoception difficulties surrounding arousal and stimulation, differences in social interaction and communication, fewer opportunities to meet new partners, motor co-ordination…”
“Suggestions to help with barriers: music, developing a sexual routine (planning whilst allowing for flexibility), the development of inclusive, straight-forward and comprehensive sex education, blindfolds and BDSM tools for sensory regulation…”
If Instagram is not your cup of tea, Becky does have a Twitter, but it is different content than what’s on Instagram.
Other ways to show your support:
Check out the Neuro Divers Etsy shop.
I’m partial to the cat stickers. Here and Here
~The Overstimulated
