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What role does education play? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: So, with neurodivergence, a stigma can develop when differences of how we experience the world are misunderstood.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: People might be labelled as difficult, lazy, antisocial, or incapable when actually they might just need a different set of adjustments and different understanding.
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: Education, therefore, is a really important tool for challenging these assumptions.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: From a counselling perspective, one important skill is active listening.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: Rather than making assumptions around someone based on a diagnosis or behaviour, we can listen to their individual experience.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_00: For example, instead of thinking, oh, why is this person behaving like that?
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: That means this.
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: We can become curious and ask, I wonder what this experience is like for them.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: I wonder what they need in order to meet their expectations.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: The shift from judgment to curiosity is a part of becoming re-educated, and that can help reduce stigma.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: Another important aspect is empathy.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: Education around neurodiversity can help us understand that behaviours often have a reason behind them, and this isn't about excusing overtly bad ones, but it's about challenging social expectations.
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: For example, someone avoiding eye contact, becoming overwhelmed in a busy environment, struggling with organization, or needing additional process and time might be perceived as difficult, but actually that is just what they need to regulate their nervous system.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_00: Understanding the possible reasons behind these experiences can offer greater compassion and it can help us be more proactive and supporting each other and working together as well.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: Education can also challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: Neurodivergent people are not all the same, and a diagnosis does not define an entire person.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Counselling that takes a person-centred approach, recognising the individual rather than a label means that recognising strengths, preferences, and personal experiences are a part of how we all interact together.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: Education can also empower neurodivergent individuals themselves.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Understanding their own neurodiversity can help people recognise their strengths, communicate their needs, and advocate for appropriate support.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: It can also reduce the feeling that there's something inherently wrong with them just because the world doesn't always align to the way that our brains work.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Ultimately, education doesn't just mean learning a list of characteristics or making assumptions and boxing people off.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: It means developing understanding, challenging stereotypes, and recognising individual differences.