Whether you are autistic, ADHD, or questioning; or you’re a practitioner who works with neurodivergent people… this episode is here to inform, affirm, & expand our collective conversation on what it means to be neurodivergent.
I talk about why “normal” is a subjective term & social construct; why we shouldn't pathologize people for being different; and why we all fall somewhere along the spectrum of neurodivergence to neurotypicality. I emphasize that you get to decide how to describe your experiences, and that your relationship to your brain & nervous system may change across time.
00:00 Introduction & Key Terms
02:36 What Does it Mean to be Neurodivergent?
04:46 The Role of Capitalism, Systems, & Neurotypical Expectations
07:27 Not a Deficit: Neurodivergence as a Way of Being
8:50 What Does Neurodivergence Look Like? (Autism, ADHD, High Sensitivity, & more)
10:07 Innate, Acquired, & Neurocomplex Experiences
12:40 Personal Reflections from Liz: What I Mean When I Say I’m Neurodivergent
Quote “You may experience your neurodivergence as an identity, a neurotype, a diagnosis, a disability, all of the above, or none of the above. Your relationship to your brain & nervous system might change across time. You may realize that you’ve been masking more than you ever realized.”
🌿 About the Host
Liz Zhou is a neurodivergent therapist of color, coach, & speaker based in Colorado (MA, LPC, she/her). She helps highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults & couples heal their nervous systems and connect with their authentic selves. Her specialties include: Brainspotting, EMDR, IFS, Psychedelic Integration, and Nervous System Intensives (deep-dive, accelerated therapy). Liz’s services are available online in Colorado & worldwide.
🌿 Connect with Liz
>> Subscribe to Liz’s Neurodivergent Letters — a weekly email series for highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults who feel burnt out from wearing masks all day & are re-learning who they really are. Every week, you’ll receive short & sweet emails on how to take care of your nervous system and understand your brain.
>> Follow on Instagram: @liz.holistic.therapist
>> Watch on YouTube
>> Visit my website: www.seasonsofgrowthcounseling.com
🌿 Options to Work Together
>> To work 1:1 with Liz (adults & couples): book an intro call here.
>> To hire Liz for speaking & workshops: submit an inquiry form here.
