#NDReflections: I Communicate Differently
Jessica Dark ND
Founder of ND Perspective, Neurodiversity Rights Advocate, Psychologist & Neuro-Inclusion Specialist
I see you looking at me with that sideward glance ‘there she goes again’ the excited, enthusiastic woman who explains everything with a zealous that many see as forced, overbearing and fake. They see my mask but do not recognise it as such, they consider it a character flaw. The truth is my excitability is masking my anxiety, stress and overwhelm. The more anxious I get, the more exaggerated I become!
My accent changes, my accent has changed so often throughout my lifetime I forget what ‘it should be’, I start to adopt the accent of those around me, sometimes with embarrassing consequences. I feel the need to inform these strangers that I am not mimicking them intentionally, this is what happens as a consequence of my communication differences. The more agitated I get, the more my body moves - my sensory processing system requires significant pressure to support my body’s regulation. Most of my movement is soothing, I use stim supports and enjoy rocking and swaying my body to support my regulation.
I misinterpret information, I misinterpret intention, I get overwhelmed by the amount of information that must be processed, often this results in exhaustion and distress. I sometimes contemplate what it must be to see the world through a more simplified lens, less intensity, more clarity, ultimately, I suspect, a little less magical - but who knows, this is the way I have always been!
Authentically ND,
Jess x x
#NDReflections: I Communicate Differently
Chair - North Staffs Mind || Board Trustee - Mind || Inspirational Speaker - resilience at work and in life || Author of "The Art of the Mentally Healthy Conversation" || Personal views
3 年Hello Jessica - I'm a frequent reader of your posts and articles and I appreciate your honesty, openness and the way you shine a light on your neurodivergent experience. One thing I am always curious about in conversations about wellbeing, neurodiversity and mental health is to ask people what their ideal 'environment' is. By this I mean anything about your physical environment (light, noise), interpersonal environment (conversations, teamwork, isolation, feedback, instructions), situational environment (doing things - work, hobbies, relaxation, sports) etc etc. What could you boss, colleagues, friends and so on give you as a daily environment that makes you feel comfortable, able to be yourself and able to fulfil your purpose in life and do what you're good at? If that resonates it'd fulfil my curiosity to read about it. If it doesn't resonate, don't feel obliged! All the v best - Jonathan
The Neurodivergent IT Guy
3 年If someone starts talking with an accent on the telly I often just start talking like that person too. It might seem like I am making fun of it, but the reality is I am immersing myself in the experience of how my voice is sounding differently. It's like tasting words and phrases that have been somehow cooked differently. Is it perhaps a form of echolalia, where you unconciously repeat something someone has just said or a noise you have just heard, like you want to experience the sensation of the words or sound coming out of your mouth and feel compelled to repeat it over and over?
Neurodiversity Advocate & Global Financial Crimes Manager
3 年I love that you wrote this in a way that goes through your line of thinking! Mine is similar.
Hi Jessica, Lovely writing, reminds of my son-some of the actions you’ve described. Keep advocating in the way you are-it’s great! Xx
Creative Copywriter | SEO Content Writer | English & Italian Translator
3 年Hi Jessica, I love this kind of reflections. I find myself in some of the behaviours you described. I am studying about the role of language on cognition and I wish you could talk about your experience with language.