Neurodivergent Insights
Community & Accessibility Initiatives
Autistic and ADHD individuals often encounter systemic barriers when it comes to accessing education, employment, healthcare, and other essential resources. At Neurodivergent Insights, we are on a mission to dismantle these barriers and support the well-being and flourishing of neurodivergent individuals.
As part of our commitment, we actively support initiatives that champion neurodivergent people. A portion of our sales proceeds is dedicated to empowering the neurodivergent community. To achieve this goal, we allocate a portion of sales from the Neurodivergent Insights shop to support neurodivergent individuals and community initiatives that aim to enhance the lives of neurodivergent people. Scroll down to explore stories of how these funds have been used to make a meaningful impact on the lives of neurodivergent individuals.
Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive world for all. Thank you for joining us in building a more neuro-inclusive future.
Community Initiatives
Community Initiatives
Community Initiative 1:
Supporting Autistic Film Creation
By the Community, For the Community
The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism is a project that fills me with immense excitement and joy. This upcoming documentary delves into the heart of the Autistic experience, shining a light on the often overlooked "lost generation" of Autistic adults. At Neurodivergent Insights, we're deeply passionate about raising awareness about the diverse and non-stereotypical presentations of autism, while also fostering a sense of pride and culture within the Autistic community. This film embodies these values beautifully.
The project is a labor of love from a filmmaker who received a late-in-life autism diagnosis, embodying a personal and profound understanding of the subject. I'm confident that The Divergent Gift will make a significant impact within the Autistic community, offering insights and perspectives that resonate deeply. This initiative is propelled by grassroots funding, and it's an honor for us at Neurodivergent Insights to contribute to their efforts. We're dedicating 10% of our proceeds in January and February to support this important work.
About the Film:
The goal is to create a resonant and captivating film made by the Neurodivergent and Autistic community, for the communityāand beyond.
The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism focuses on deepening positive autistic identity through visualizing the various unseen struggles, challenges, gifts, and abilities of those on the (so called) āmildā end of the autistic spectrum. Combining interviews with richly animated visualizations, the film explores many diverse experiences of this rising area of diagnosis as well as a personal journey showcasing just what it means to wonderā am I on the spectrum?
Watch the Trailer!
Community Initiative 2:
Neurodivergent Affirming Spanish Resources (Coming Soon!)
Spanish Resources
Since the inception of Neurodivergent Insights, a recurring and heartfelt request has been the translation of our resources into various languages, with Spanish being at the forefront.
The scarcity of neurodivergent-affirming resources in Spanish significantly contributes to the ongoing disparity in autism diagnosis among Latine children, reflecting a broader issue of awareness and education.
To address this, we are allocating funds towards engaging a neurodivergent professional translator. Their expertise is currently being utilized to translate a selection of our infographics and articles into Spanish, thus enhancing the accessibility and reach of neurodivergent-affirming resources. This initiative is a step towards bridging the language gap and enhancing the support network for the Spanish-speaking neurodivergent community.
Accessibility Initiatives
š Accessibility Initiatives š
Workbook Outreach for Neurodivergent Individuals Facing Socio-Economic Challenges
Every month, I offer 20 complimentary workbooks to neurodivergent individuals who are personally affected by socio-economic barriers. To request a workbook, simply send an email to outreach@neurodivergentinsights.org. The first 20 emails received will receive a response. If you don't receive a reply, consider reaching out early in the following month.
Membership Scholarships
If you're interested in our membership but face financial challenges due to exchange rates or socio-economic factors, or if you're a therapist in training seeking clinical rights, you can apply for a scholarship to reduce costs by clicking āāhereā. š
Direct Mutual Aid
Direct Mutual Aid
Quinn
Meet Quinn, a dedicated non-binary and transgender single parent living in Florida, who stands as the primary caretaker for their two Autistic children. One of their children requires specialized care due to complex medical and mental health needs. Despite their own ADHD, CPTSD, and social anxiety, Quinn works tirelessly to provide for their family while grappling with the effects of long Covid.
Balancing a full-time job with caregiving responsibilities is no easy task, and Quinn has faced additional challenges due to discrimination both at their workplace and in their previous living situation. This, along with the impact of illness and caregiving responsibilities, has made it difficult for Quinn to access the necessary assistance.
Recently, Quinn and their children faced homelessness, finding temporary refuge in their car or with friends. Thanks to their case manager's efforts, an apartment has been identified that aligns with their need, and they have been able to move in. Funds from the campaign went to renting a moving truck to bring their belongings out of storage and for their first month's rent at their new apartment.
Isa
Isa, a queer, non-binary Autistic individual born to immigrant Latino parents, faces formidable challenges including PTSD, depression, and fibromyalgia, intensified by an unsupportive home environment where their identities are stifled. Despite chronic pain and fibromyalgia, Isa's determination to secure a job for education and career growth remains unwavering. Specialized medical care that once provided relief is now inaccessible due to insurance limitations.
Funds raised will aid Isa in accessing medical care, enhancing mobility crucial for long-term employment prospects. Certified as a phlebotomist, Isa seeks a lab job to attain stability and escape their current situation, negatively impacting their health and well-being.
Shahd
Shahd is a Black Muslim American Autistic woman finishing her college degree on the east coast. She is an art and education major with plans to become a full-time art teacher. In addition to being Autistic, she has several complex medical conditions. She faces daily challenges with managing chronic illness and ongoing financial hardship. She has been very resourceful in finding non-profit agencies that provide some rental assistance, but she knows this isn't guaranteed each month.
Being a late-in-life diagnosed Autistic person has meant that several of her needs have gone unaddressed. She has experienced criticism for her differences and has been unable to find steady work. She has been actively trying to find a job that accommodates limitations posed by chronic illness and Autism related support needs.
Shahd is currently in need of financial assistance to continue to secure her housing over the summer and for food and medications. She runs out of food stamps each month and relies on rental assistance programs to get by month-to-month. She often is unable to refill medications because she cannot afford them and struggles to cover basic essentials like toiletries and clothing.
Update: Funds went to cover medical supplies, pay necessary bills and there was enough left over to delight in some sensory comforts.
Dr. S
Dr. S, a bilingual, bicultural neurodivergent Latina psychologist with a deep commitment to serving the rural Latinx community. Dr. S migrated to the US at age 5 with her family. She watched as her parents struggled to navigate the education and healthcare system. Now in her work as a Psychologist, she sees the cycle continue in rural Oregon.
By supporting her, we are helping her receive training and providing her a stipend for her time (BIPOC educators, psychologists, and professionals are often asked to do much more free labor than white clinicians, so we're honoring this by supporting her training time).
Update: Funds paid for a specialized training in Autistic affirming assessments (the MIGDAS), a MIGDAS Kit and other assessment tools, including a specialized achievement test in Spanish, to enhance her ability to develop a culturally sensitive assessment battery. Additionally, we provided consultation and support throughout her initial assessments. Dr. S is now actively providing neurodivergent and culturally affirming autism assessments to families within her community!
James
James is a Black American Autistic-ADHDer with additional learning disabilities. He faces challenges that are common among Black Autistic and ADHD individuals. Complicating matters, he was not identified as Autistic until adulthood despite being significantly impacted by his Autistic traits.
Currently, James is striving to finish college, working hard to support himself while being a college athlete. However, the intersection of his tendency to assume the best in others with his difficulty in reading allistic social cues and his Black identity has led to complex challenges, including discrimination and racial profiling. These experiences have resulted in devastating work setbacks. Despite these obstacles, James remains committed to achieving his goal of completing college.
James has recently received the great news that he has qualified for disability services in his state and is on the waitlist for Section 8 housing in his college town. This is a significant opportunity for him as it will provide housing security. But he still needs help with the first and last month's rent to secure housing.
Update: Funds paid for James' first and last month's rent, which enabled him to secure housing to continue his studies.