Latest / Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor / What steps help challenge misconceptions?

Transcript

What steps help challenge misconceptions? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Stigma and misconceptions as a neurodivergent person can be quite difficult because it can come from other people, but sometimes it can also be something that we can internalize, especially if you were late diagnosed or you're dealing with a general misunderstanding day-to-day, we might begin to believe that being different means less capable, less worthy, or somehow needing to hide it.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: So, how can we challenge that stigma?
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: One important place to start is with self-acceptance.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: So if somebody says, Oh, you're too sensitive, or why can't you just do this, it can be tempting to question ourselves, but with their counselling skills that we practice, one of the really important things that we put into place is unconditional positive regard, which is accepting a person without judging their differences.
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: Being neurodivergent doesn't mean that we're broken, it means that we may experience, process, communicate, or interact with the world differently.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: Another way that we can challenge stigma is through active listening and empathy.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: Imagine a neurodivergent person says, I feel like people don't understand me.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: And instead of immediately giving advice or trying to reassure, which absolutely does come from a good place, we can just reflect on that.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: So it sounds like you've been feeling misunderstood and judged.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: I hear you, your experience matters.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: Why is that?
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: And we can extend that same empathy towards ourselves.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: We can also open questions with curiosity rather than judgment.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: So rather than making assumptions that someone's behaviour is rude or they're being difficult, we can ask, well, what are you experiencing?
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: What support might help you, or ever made a negative assumption about this person?
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Language matters too.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: We can challenge stereotypes by talking openly about neurodiversity where we feel safe and comfortable doing so.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: We can explain our needs, correct misconceptions, and remind others that there isn't singular one way to be neurodivergent.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_00: But it's important to remember as well that we don't have to educate everybody.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: Challenging stigma doesn't mean constantly defending ourselves or disclosing our neurodivergence, sometimes setting a boundary is the healthiest response.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: When neurodivergent people share their experiences, support one another, or celebrate different ways of thinking, we challenge the idea that there's one right way to be, and that starts with empathy and curiosity.