The Embrace of Neurodiversity, Caution around Over-Pathologising Children, and ADHD Awareness Month
Over the last few years, there has been almost a movement of adolescents and adults who are embracing, discussing, and sharing their lived experiences with ADHD and neurodiversity, a term that embraces the individual differences in the way brains work and navigate the world. This is incredible for reducing stigma and making those with a diagnosis feel less alone. Social media seems to have played a role, with individuals sharing their experiences and owning their experiences on TikTok and Instagram, making neurotypicality seem boring.
On the topic of neurotypicality, I am very much looking forward to reading Dr Gabor Mate’s new book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture, who is best known for his work in trauma and widely bestselling book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Dr Mate’s work has changed the way that we understand how micro and developmental trauma shapes us, the deep importance of secure attachments, and the masking of “normal”, all of which I will write more about.
I first want to acknowledge that I believe that there is both a place for accurate diagnosis, and some systemic flaws that we should be mindful of, and continue to advocate improvement for our children who can be over-pathologised (follow this link to read more detail about this). Not all struggle and symptoms need to be pathologised, and labels should not be used for the sake of labelling as we have to respect the nature of how this can shape the identities of young people, particularly during the identity forming years.
Since microtrauma can be hard to detect and influence our behaviours in a multifaceted way, it can be easy to view a child or person as having or needing a particular neurodevelopmental diagnosis, (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; ADHD) when the underlying presenting problem is trauma-related, often invisible to the untrained eye. And given there is no additional funding or resources available to address intergenerational trauma, for example within the education system, we have to be aware that this can push individuals down the diagnostic path.
When it comes to ADHD, one of the reasons why professional and specialised diagnosis is essential is because of the possibility of pharmaceutical medication. As a parent, you should be fully informed and make an empowered decision to pursue a diagnosis (or not) based on your individual case, with the ability to access therapeutic and community supports regardless. It is your right to feel fully informed, to not be afraid to ask questions, and to consult with multiple professionals to ensure that you feel comfortable.
October is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) awareness month which coincides with the release of new Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines created by the Australian ADHD Professionals Association. The information is not new to me as a psychologist and clinician, however, is a great go-to resource. The evidence-based guidelines stipulate that following an ADHD diagnosis, solid psychoeducation and resources should follow, with intervention options 1) lifestyle consideration and changes, 2) cognitive-behavioural therapy, and 3) pharmaceutical medications.
Taking aside diagnostic labels and awareness months, which aim to destigmatise, we really can just focus on embracing individual differences and neurodiversity regardless. We don’t need to be diagnosed to be validated that we are normal, or that none of us are really “normal”, and that to be human is to experience mental health symptoms, to suffer at times, and to need supports during different stages of our lives. A diagnosis might feel like a huge relief to one person, and a shame chamber to another. Both experiences are valid, and one is not right nor wrong.
Dr Renee Cachia is an Australian–based psychologist in private practice specialising in childhood, adolescent and parenting development. Her first book is Parenting Freedom: Transform Stress and Depletion to Connectedness and Meaning. To connect on socials, follow @innerpracticebyrenee