In this expert session, Elizabeth Wiklander, an advocate for neurodiversity and a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, shares her personal experiences and insights into neurodiversity. Elizabeth begins by introducing the concept of neurodiversity and explaining that it refers to the idea that our brains function differently, leading us to perceive and experience the world in various ways. She emphasizes that neurodiversity is a natural form of diversity and discusses different terms related to neurodivergent individuals, such as neurotypical, neurodivergent, and neurological differences.
Elizabeth shares her personal experiences growing up with undiagnosed autism, describing the challenges she faced in communicating and understanding others due to a lack of language and community validation. She emphasizes that only when she and her father were recognized as autistic did they gain tools for healing and finding understanding within their family, leading to reconciliation and greater empathy.
Throughout the session, Elizabeth encourages an inclusive approach towards neurodiversity and emphasizes the need for societal changes to accommodate and support neurodivergent individuals fully. She believes that everyone can benefit from learning more about neurodiversity and recognizing the unique perspectives it brings.
Elizabeth discusses the two approaches when dealing with neurodiversity: the Neurodiversity Paradigm and the medical model of disability. The former respects neurodivergent individuals as naturally valuable and avoids pathologizing language, while the latter diagnoses and attempts to treat or change their differences. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of understanding these perspectives and recognizing the impact neurodiversity can have on people's lives.
Elizabeth shares her personal experiences with learning social skills and the importance of finding balance. She discusses how suppressing her instincts and camouflaging her distress to fit in took a toll on her mental health and didn't lead to genuine relationships or success. She emphasizes that by advocating publicly for autistic rights and building a diverse global community, they can address the issues faced by the autistic community, which are often rooted in societal misunderstanding and exclusion.
Elizabeth critiques the medical model for its focus on personal traits as deficits without considering individual experiences or societal factors. She argues that it can force individuals into interventions and therapies to assimilate, creating stigma and negative attitudes towards neurological differences. However, she acknowledges that the medical model serves an important purpose in offering medical intervention for those who need it.
Elizabeth then discusses the characteristics that differentiate autistic people from neurotypicals, such as body language and communication styles, thinking styles, and sensory experiences. She encourages fostering appreciation for these differences to bridge the gap in understanding.
Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of creating an accommodating society that values neurodiversity while recognizing the need for medical intervention when necessary. She believes that embracing different thinking styles and combining strengths can lead to remarkable achievements and benefits for individuals and businesses.
The expert session concludes with Elisabeth offering final words of wisdom: be kind, open-minded, and understanding towards individuals who may not conform to typical norms or follow expected behaviors.
