{"id":315603,"date":"2022-10-21T05:33:25","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T09:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/?p=315603"},"modified":"2023-04-25T14:17:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T18:17:04","slug":"neurodivergent-black-women-adhd-neurodiversity-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/neurodivergent-black-women-adhd-neurodiversity-movement\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI am a Neurodivergent Black Woman \u2014 and I am Filled with Hope.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Navigating life as a Black, neurodivergent woman is complicated. Growing up, these parts of my identity presented a trifecta of unique challenges, some of which follow me to this day. Others, I\u2019ve been able to overcome in my journey toward understanding and accepting my neurodiversity<\/a> \u2014 and helping others accept theirs.<\/p>\n

I was luckier than most, blessed with an early diagnosis of inattentive ADHD<\/a> in the First Grade after my parents and teachers voiced major concerns about my distractibility and impulsivity. My diagnosis was an important starting point, but it was no silver bullet. If anything, it felt like my \u201cproblematic\u201d behaviors were simply assigned a different name.<\/p>\n

The Reality of Being a Black Girl with ADHD<\/h2>\n

Even with a diagnosis, I never felt like teachers, coaches, and other adults in my life fully understood me. (Except for my supportive parents \u2014 something so many go without.) Many of my teachers made no attempts to hide their biases, and often saw me as an impulsive, misbehaving student rather than one struggling with symptoms of a condition.<\/p>\n

Day in and day out, I wasn\u2019t given the space to fully explore my identity and understand myself, ADHD and all. Instead, society dished out shame<\/a>, accused me of being lazy, and provided no support for a neurodivergent mind like mine.<\/p>\n

This is, unfortunately, an all-too-common reality for young Black girls with ADHD in this country \u2013 especially those who go undiagnosed.<\/p>\n

[Read: Why ADHD Is Different for People of Color<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

ADHD doesn\u2019t discriminate by gender or race. Yet boys are more likely than girls<\/a> to receive a formal diagnosis of ADHD, and white children are more likely than Black children<\/a> to receive an ADHD diagnosis. These gaps stem from the antiquated, gendered, and racist stereotypes that surround perceptions of ADHD. As a result, Black girls and women experience disproportionate delays in symptom identification and treatment, which can cause a host of other issues, like anxiety and low self-esteem.<\/p>\n

Finding a Sense of Belonging<\/h2>\n

Though I had my diagnosis, I lacked a sense of community for many, many years. I needed peers and allies who truly understood me and saw my ADHD<\/a> for the superpower it can be, rather than a deficit or disability.<\/p>\n

I finally found this all-important, life-changing sense of belonging during my junior year at Radford University<\/a>, after begrudgingly following my mom\u2019s advice to join a club. I joined Eye to Eye<\/a>, a community built by and for people who learn differently, like me. I couldn\u2019t believe that such a community existed. My self-confidence<\/a> and self-love blossomed. By my senior year, I was in charge of the university\u2019s entire chapter, serving as a mentor to younger students with learning differences<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Movement Underway<\/h2>\n

After graduating from college, I joined Eye to Eye\u2019s team, where I\u2019ve dedicated my professional career to bringing after-school mentorship programs \u2014 and a sense of community and acceptance \u2014 to young people who are just like me.<\/p>\n

[Read: 5 Truths About the Beauty of Neurodiversity That I Had to Live to Learn<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n

Eye to Eye and other peer-to-peer mentorship programs are part of a turning tide \u2013 a widescale movement that highlights neurodiversity and acceptance of all people. Recently, Eye to Eye organized a conference at the University of Denver<\/a>, where hundreds of neurodiverse youth discussed their lived experiences, the state of education for people with learning differences, and future directions for policymakers.<\/p>\n

The signs of progress are widespread. Political leaders like New York City Mayor Eric Adams and California Governor Gavin Newsom<\/a> have leaned into their experiences as people who learn differently and unveiled plans<\/a> to better support neurodiverse youth in their states. Artists like Beyonc\u00e9 and Lizzo have adjusted their art<\/a> in the name of inclusivity and respect. And social media platforms such as LinkedIn have altered their features<\/a> to celebrate the benefits neurodiverse employees<\/a> bring to the workplace.<\/p>\n

I am so proud to be a part of the team at the helm of this movement. More importantly, these signs of change give me so much hope that young, Black, neurodivergent girls today won\u2019t have to go through what I did just to discover their amazing selves.<\/p>\n

Neurodiversity Movement: Next Steps<\/h2>\n