In a society built around neurotypical ways of functioning, neurodivergent adults experience the necessity of practicing self-advocacy to access care and develop an environment more conducive for their well-being. In this article, we’ll use the term neurodivergent to refer to autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals and experiences.
The Importance of Self-Advocacy for Neurodivergent Individuals
What is Self-Advocacy?
- Self-advocacy is the process of communicating individual wants, needs, and rights to determine and pursue required accommodations. This can be in small day to day situations or in making choices about how we engage in work, school, and home life. It can be in how we seek and utilize services and accommodations. It can also involve partnering together as a community to influence social understandings of neurodivergence and voting on policies that impact our lives.
Why is self-advocacy important for autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals?
- Autism and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disabilities that affect many aspects of how we experience the world. In a social system that excludes disability and often works to minimize or eliminate disability, advocacy work (such as that in the disability rights movement and neurodiversity movement) seeks to ensure that people with disabilities can access what we need.[1]
- Self-advocacy specifically relies on the voices of those who are experts in the needs of neurodivergent people – that is, neurodivergent people themselves.[2] While many neurotypical doctors, mental health professionals, teachers, and researchers intentionally seek to understand and provide knowledge and assistance to neurodivergent individuals, there is so much of neurodivergent experience that is internal and, therefore, unseen. In order to build lives that work for us and gain access to the tools needed for our well-being, we engage in self-advocacy.
What Is Involved In Self-Advocacy?
Understanding Your Needs and Rights
Prioritize self-knowledge by:
- Learning from past experiences
- Learning about yourself by securing the support of others
- Understanding and accepting autistic and ADHD-specific functionality[3]
By identifying and accepting your unique strengths, challenges, support requirements, and rhythms of functioning as a neurodivergent individual, you gain familiarity with your needs and language with which you can articulate them to others.
Familiarize yourself with your legal rights and available accommodations. Many of us are not taught about our legal rights regarding our disabilities. Here are some resources to help you learn your rights:
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network: https://autisticadvocacy.org/
- USA.gov: https://www.usa.gov/disability-rights
- ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/disability-rights
We also might not be aware of the areas in which help is available or where accommodations may be needed. Areas of life where we may need to explore in regard to our needs include:
- Education
- Work
- Finances
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Transportation
- Food
- Community and Social Connection
- Legal Aid
Some organizations that can help learn more about yourself, your support needs, and potential accommodations include:
- Neuroclastic: https://neuroclastic.com/
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association: https://add.org/
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: https://chadd.org/
- Job Accommodation Network: https://askjan.org/
Developing Communication and Assertiveness Skills
Assertiveness and effective communication are key parts of self-advocacy. Neurodivergent individuals know that they are often misunderstood. Differences in internal experiences and differences in communication can act as barriers to mutual understanding between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals.[4]
- Practice articulating your needs
- One barrier to communicating your needs is not knowing what you want to say. As you develop awareness of your needs, take note of language that fits what you might need.
- Before asking someone for accommodations or other support, it may help to write down your request in advance. If it is confidence-boosting, consider how you might introduce the conversation and roleplay it with a friend or therapist for practice.
- Learn your ways of soothing yourself and boosting your confidence
- Communicating your needs when you feel misunderstood, ignored, or pushed around can be frustrating and tiring. Knowing the ways in which you feel comforted and self-assured can help when you feel activated.
- Familiarize yourself with the particularities of advocating for yourself in various settings (e.g., workplace, healthcare, social situations, close relationships)
- Not every context calls for the same approach when addressing your needs. There are often differences in formality, processes, and expectations that can be explicit or unwritten. It can be helpful to look into the explicit processes if they exist, such as HR guidelines in a workplace, as well as speak to trusted people in your life who may have faced similar situations and navigated the unofficial social rules too.
Building a Support Network
- Get involved with neurodivergent community: This can be in the form of one on one friendship, MeetUp groups, therapy groups, and online communities focused on neurodivergent experiences and/or specific interests. It might be through books, podcasts, or the shared experiences and education articulated on social media platforms. Finding people that get you, that help you learn more about yourself and each other, and that help build the confidence to seek out what you need can make a big difference in the process of self-advocacy.
- Identify trusted allies who can provide support and advocacy: As previously mentioned, there is often a gap in understanding between neurodivergent and neurotypical experiences. Neurodivergent people have often spent years figuring out ways to bridge this divide. One way neurotypical individuals can support their neurodivergent loved ones is to learn about them. Asking family and friends to listen to a podcast or read a blog or a book can help build their understanding of your needs and create opportunities for them to look out for you as well.
- Collaborate with professionals (e.g., therapists, job coaches) to develop self-advocacy skills: The process of attuning to your own needs without the noise of shame or fear overwhelming you can be difficult. Sometimes we need support in this area as we unpack internalized ableist messages and come to greater authentic understanding of ourselves. Further, we may need some help developing the communication strategies needed to advocate for ourselves effectively. This support may occur within close relationships and greater neurodivergent community. Alongside these relationships, neurodivergent-affirming psychotherapy, coaching, classes, and workshops can also play an important role.
Conclusion
Self-advocacy is a vital skill for neurodivergent individuals. As we recognize, understand, and assert our value and needs, we gain confidence in speaking up for ourselves and each other. We become active in navigating and developing our lives. If you would like help in furthering your understanding of yourself and growing awareness of your support needs, refer to the organizations listed above and reach out to the neurodiversity-affirming therapists at Relational Psych for one on one support.
Common Question About Neurodivergence Self-Advocacy
What is self-advocacy, and why is it important for neurodivergent adults?
Self-advocacy is the process of understanding and communicating one's needs, wants, and rights to access necessary accommodations and support. It is crucial for neurodivergent adults, particularly those with autism or ADHD, as it empowers them to navigate a world that often caters to neurotypical individuals. By advocating for themselves, neurodivergent adults can create an environment that is more conducive to their well-being and success.
How can neurodivergent adults with autism or ADHD identify their unique needs?
Neurodivergent adults can identify their unique needs by reflecting on past experiences, seeking support from others, and learning about autism and ADHD-specific challenges and strengths. Engaging in self-discovery and accepting one's neurodivergence is key to understanding personal needs and communicating them effectively.
What are some essential self-advocacy skills for neurodivergent adults?
Essential self-advocacy skills for neurodivergent adults include assertive communication, self-awareness, understanding one's rights, and knowing how to request accommodations. Developing these skills can help individuals with autism or ADHD navigate various settings, such as the workplace, healthcare, and social situations.
How can neurodivergent adults build a strong support network for self-advocacy?
Neurodivergent adults can build a strong support network by connecting with the neurodivergent community, identifying trusted allies, and collaborating with professionals such as therapists or job coaches. Engaging with others who understand and support their experiences can provide valuable insights, emotional support, and guidance in developing self-advocacy skills.
What resources are available to help neurodivergent adults learn about their rights and accommodations?
Several organizations, such as the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), ACLU, and Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), provide resources to help neurodivergent adults learn about their rights and available accommodations. These resources cover various aspects of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing.
How can therapy support self-advocacy for neurodivergent adults with autism or ADHD?
Therapy can play a crucial role in supporting self-advocacy for neurodivergent adults by providing a safe space to explore and understand their unique needs, develop communication and assertiveness skills, and work through internalized ableism. Neurodiversity-affirming therapists can help individuals build self-awareness, confidence, and the tools needed to advocate for themselves effectively.
Sources
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network. (2024, March 29). What we believe. https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/what-we-believe/
- Gillespie-Lynch, K., Kapp, S. K., Brooks, P. J., Pickens, J., & Schwartzman, B. (2017). Whose Expertise Is It? Evidence for Autistic Adults as Critical Autism Experts. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 438. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00438
- Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H., Hultman, L., & Hallqvist, J. (2023). Knowing and accepting oneself: Exploring possibilities of self-awareness among working autistic young adults. Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 27(5), 1417–1425. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221137428
- Daoire, N. (2023, July 3). Empowering self-advocacy for ADHD: A guide for adults with ADHD. Shimmer Care. https://www.shimmer.care/blog/adhd-self-advocacy-guide
