33: Theo's Friday Neurodiversity Roundup

Yes Friday is here again and with it we have another addition of our newsletter :O)

This week the discussion revolves around the important issue of when a child's sensory needs are not met and the impact it can have on their development. We also explore the concept of masking and how it affects individuals who are Autistic, ADHD...

Additionally, we touch on a personal story from me about my weight and height when I met my wife at the age of 23. This Monday May the 1st we've been married 14 years and together for 20! She's certainly been a key driver in my success and happiness.

We also take a fascinating look at the Mexican tetra blind fish and how it has evolved to become blind as a competitive advantage.

We hope you find this week's episode informative and engaging, and that it encourages you to think more deeply about the diverse ways in which our brains work. Thank you for tuning in!

When a child's sensory needs are not looked after

They will often turn into a young adult that doesn't understand what their sensory needs are!

Do you remember as a child, how you used to love running your fingers through sand or how the sound of rain would make you feel alive or possibly afraid?

These are examples of sensory needs that we all have, and they play a crucial role in our development. However, if these needs are not met, they can lead to long-term consequences.

As a child, if your sensory needs were not understood or addressed, you may have grown up feeling disconnected and unsure of yourself.

I feel we live in a time of late diagnosis where there are still many more adults who are yet to know what their needs are and how they are impacted by not being understood.

The impact of this can be significant, affecting not only our mental health but also our performance at work and our relationships. It's no wonder that so many people are struggling with poor well-being, struggling relationships, and underperforming at work.

It's time we start paying more attention to our sensory needs and understand how they impact our lives.

By doing so, we can improve:

?? our well-being

?? ?? ?? ?? have better relationships

and perform better at work ??

Let's take a step towards understanding ourselves better and giving ourselves the care we need. But also supporting those around ??

Why don't we share in the comments some of our own sensory needs and challenges to help others understand what their own may be?

Adam Clowes

Thank you for this post! This is a big part of why I am seeking an ADHD diagnosis as I strongly suspect my 4 year old son has it too as he is showing a lot of typical signs (all of the same ones I had as a child too).

I've made it my mission to learn and understand as much as I can about ADHD (whether I have it diagnosed or not) then I am in the best position to support my son as he grows up - And support him through the various challenges having ADHD brings.

My youngest is nearly 10 months old so it's yet to be seen whether he possesses similarities to his brother and I.

Thank you ??

Ed Han

This is a really cool meditation!

I find that generally speaking, the din of many people talking simultaneously really annoys me, can make me ill-tempered.

Some people need "background noise": ambient sounds that are part of the soundscape around them.

That drives me bonkers: I like silence.

What Masking looks like for someone who is Autistic, ADHD... ??

They may look fine on the outside ??

But on the inside stress, anxiety, and frustration can all be building up ??

This can culminate in a fight or flight response ?? ♂?

Somebody who seemed to be calm and collected may change completely at a flick of a switch ??

?? Understanding our own triggers is really important

?? Also understanding the triggers of our children and co-workers is also important

Often, it's through other people's actions, systems or processes that these triggers are pulled.

These triggers are often connected to past trauma, and also we are unaware of what the exact trigger is. This can make it difficult to manage.

This is why we advocate for quiet spaces or the ability to take ourselves safely out of a situation whereby it could have a negative impact on our mental health and well-being or that of others.

Gloria Sanchez

Beautiful Theo ! To know our triggers.

I use a insightful tool. Enneagram is my map of triggers and patterns. For me and for the people I meet. And it is very useful , it gives me context , the possibility to be in someone else shoes. Beautiful for autism and ADHD help me to regulate my emotions and behaviors!

Clare Gillibrand

Absolutely this. I'm currently mid unmask and unlearn after learning at 42 I have severe ADHD. Being able to get up and leave office for a walk over road in the park is so valuable.

When I met my wife at the age of 23 I weighed 8 stone something and I'm 6ft 2inch.

I had no breakfast and ate 9p value super noodles for lunch and tea with a chopped-up cheap frozen sausage. This was daily.

This week I've been going to the park each lunchtime to do a light hit workout with the team and friends.

We then sit down to a healthy lunch and talk about the key topics of the day and week and how blessed we are to have good food, a loving family and the ability to have choice in what we do, where we do it, and with whom we spend our time.

I now weigh a healthy 12st+ and I'm still just about 6ft 2inch ;O)

But it's not all plain sailing.

We have to remember where we came from, the struggle, the stigma and the reason why we do what we do!

For us, Neurodiversity advocacy and the work we do is a mission, a calling and comes from real pain and joy.

There are times when the pain has been too much to cope with and the Joy has been higher than a kite!

But it's these moments of realisation and reflection that drives us to try and help others to love who they are and respect and appreciate their differences and unique selves.

But one of the biggest lessons I've learned in recent times is that nutrition plays a huge role in the performance of your brain as much as in your body.

Ian Hetherington

Agreed Theo. My daughter who is 10 has recently been diagnosed with ADD and we have a real challenge with her diet. The books I am reading are suggesting a higher protein diet and low Carb... The problem is, the only thing she likes eating is bread and pasta... She eats the bread the same way you do ??

John Hinojos HRIP

Along with my Autism and Dyslexia, I have Crohn's Disease. My mother felt I had the Crohn's all my life, but it was not diagnosed until I was 25. My Autism diagnosed at 62. Married my husband at 45. All my life I have had eating issues - especially with the Crohn's. When I got married, I found some inner peace and started to be more adventurous with my eating. I will eat the same thing for breakfast for years, then decide to move to something else. Rarely do I change. I am eating heathier, and with the help of some of Jamie Oliver's recipes, I am finding ways to eat kale and spinach that does not make my Crohn's flair-up.

Did you know that the Mexican tetra blind fish has evolved to become blind as a competitive advantage!

It is a prime example of how evolution works in response to changing environments?

My daughter had a mini zoo keeper experience for her birthday and we learned about these incredible fish.

These fish have lost their eyesight over time and then their eyes, living in dark underground caves where vision is not necessary for survival. This is a fascinating example of how nature adapts to its surroundings!

They actually save energy during key stages of growth by not developing eyes and have adapted their other senses to become highly efficient in these challenging environments.

In the subterranean caverns of north-eastern Mexico, clusters of blind fish seem to be acquiring unique dialects specific to their respective caves. This linguistic adaptations could potentially lead to continued speciation within the fish population.

Astyanax mexicanus, commonly known as the Mexican tetra, is well-versed in diversification. This species comes in two distinct varieties: one with excellent vision that thrives in sunlit rivers, and another with a see-through body and blindness, which began to evolve as recently as 20,000 years ago when some of these fish colonized dark subterranean caves.

A tetra with eyes would struggle to survive in these conditions without adaptations, due to the lack of light, and potential food source it would be used to.

Similarly, research suggests that our diverse brains and neurodiversity are also a natural part of human evolution.

Autism and ADHD may have clearly provided some with an evolutionary advantage in certain situations.

Today, individuals who are ADHD and Autistic may struggle in some areas because of changes to the way we live and work like industrialisation and globalisation. Where those environments and work practices have inhibited some thinking and learning types and styles.

But they also clearly we bring unique skills and strengths to the table, if we help and support removing some of the human made barriers.

As we continue to learn more about the diversity of the human brain, it's important that we embrace and celebrate neurodiversity.

By doing so, we can create more inclusive and supportive environments for everyone, regardless of their cognitive differences.

So let's take a cue from the Mexican tetra blind fish and embrace the beauty and complexity of nature in all its forms.

Lucia Helena Sarmento

Theo: one of the most fantastic texts I have ever read! Thanks!

Louise Landau

So much to celebrate. As a dyslexic person I feel on the one hand I have a superpower and on the other a humiliating disadvantage. As a headhunter I would love to be a part of creating an environment where there is more understanding and tolerance of our differences. Bring on the education of neurodiversity.... ??

Thank you :O)

Well I hope you've enjoyed my weekly roundup and I welcome your comments, thoughts, and insights or you're welcome just to continue quietly reading in the background.

Hope you have a great weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

See you same time next week :O)

Theo Smith

Neurodiversity Evangelist at?Dynamis Group,

Neurodiversity advocate, founder of?Neurodiversity at Work Ltd & Neurodiversity World, author of?‘Neurodiversity at Work: Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce’??and podcast host of?Neurodiversity – Eliminating Kryptonite & Enabling Superheroes!