Neurodiversity Celebration Week – March 18 to 24

On behalf of our IDEA committee at Grandview Kids, for Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24), we reached out to Grandview Kids staff who were all part of the Neurodiversity panel planned by Taryn E., our Executive Lead for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Mobilization, and moderated by Adrian P., our Marketing and Communication Manager, for #TeamGrandview last year.

We asked our panellists, “What does celebrating neurodiversity mean to you?” and here are their answers:

“March 18 to 24 marks this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week. This provides us with an opportunity to celebrate individuals who identify as neurodiverse. As the Grandview Kids Ability Acceptance Presenter, being neurodiverse is a trait that I celebrate and embrace in everything that I do. As someone on the Autism Spectrum and someone who identifies as neurodiverse, I have dedicated my life to promoting the ideas around neurodiversity.

I believe that neurodiversity means that all individuals are equal and that everyone is capable of great things. We need to move away from the idea of thinking that just because someone identifies as having a disability or is neurodiverse doesn’t mean that they can’t achieve great things. Though neurodivergent individuals often see the world slightly differently from others, it is this uniqueness and special mindset that allows for these individuals to thrive and find solutions to problems that most people never thought possible, creating a truly unique and exciting present and future.”

Mitchell D., Ability Acceptance Presenter and Archivist

“I believe that celebrating neurodiversity means celebrating everyone’s authentic self and highlighting the individual’s right to autonomy and self-determination. It means recognizing the value in differences and respecting individual strengths, challenges, and perspectives. Different ways of looking at problems and solutions yield varied and creative solutions and accommodations. Celebrating different ideas, needs, perspectives, learning styles, and modes of communication benefits everyone!”

Alishia C., Speech-Language Pathologist

“My family celebrates neurodiversity for several reasons. I’m an autistic woman and I am proud of my neurodiverse family. I wasn’t diagnosed until my 40’s and I spent most of my life feeling different. I was weird and quirky and didn’t really fit in anywhere. My memere would always say, “Dare to be different!”. She would be proud of the woman and advocate that I am now. I owe it to myself and my autistic children to celebrate who we are and to make sure the spaces we take up are as valid as anyone else in the room. 

I fidget and prefer to look away when talking to someone. I either go all-in, get very personal and don’t know when to stop talking, or I become non-speaking and don’t talk at all. I am different, weird, and quirky and often don’t fit in, and I’m finally okay with that! 

By celebrating our neurodivergence, we challenge the prejudices we face and promote a shift in perspective. Let’s change the conversation away from perceived weaknesses to the many strengths and advantages of being neurodivergent. Neurodiversity celebrations also provide opportunities for education and acceptance. This can lead to more accommodating environments and better support systems for neurodiverse individuals to thrive.

In essence, celebrating neurodiversity is about embracing and promoting a society where everyone, regardless of their neurotype, is accepted, supported, and valued for who they are. Celebrating ourselves and our loved ones who “dare to be different” is a step towards a more inclusive and compassionate world for everyone.”

Natasha M., Program Coordinator – Family Engagement Team

“Celebrating neurodiversity as a clinician and someone who is neurotypical means that I am looking to the neurodiverse individuals in my life and the neurodiverse community on social media to guide me on how the community wishes to be celebrated. My job as an advocate is not to be the voice of the celebration, but rather amplify the voices of the community who is celebrating.”

Samantha M., Occupational Therapist