Debutiful: Compassionate Depictions of Neurodivergence

“Just as two-dimensional, pathologizing narratives of neurodivergence had fed my internalized ableism, nuanced and compassionate narratives of neurodivergence deepened my capacity to embrace the complexity in myself and others, in life and in writing. These narratives offered multi-faceted depictions of people who–whether by inherent wiring or acquired coping–operated differently than what was societally-centered as ‘normal.’ Encouraged by the example of such stories, I wrote my first novel, Somewhere Soft to Land, with a neurodivergent protagonist who has many dimensions. I felt emboldened to allow Dzifa to be sharp, and messy, and tender, and misguided–to release her from the expectation to be likable or relatable and to let her be fully herself. Though there have been plenty over the years, I’m glad I can share at least four of the stories whose nuanced depictions of neurodivergence have moved and fortified me.”

Read the rest on Debutiful’s site.

*I mention the word un-shamed in this piece. I’ve been working on a follow-up post about this concept that I can share here or in the newsletter. For now, I’ll share that David Bedrick’s book The Unshaming Way has been a powerful resource, in my ongoing desire to support the shift from pathologizing approaches to mental health and neurodivergence (e.g. What’s wrong with you and how do I fix it?) to compassionately curious approaches (e.g. asking the question Bedrick poses, “What’s it like to be you?” and then trusting that there is an intelligence and trapped power within every shamed response, pattern, or symptom.)