I am thrilled to announce to you beautiful humans that I’m launching a new project! NEURODIVERSION: a monthly newsletter with curated articles, research, and current events that center neurodiverse stories and topics.
Here are my goals for NEURODIVERSION:
1. To provide a shortcut to useful, interesting information neurodivergent readers may find interesting, from a neurodivergent curator.
Navigating the sea of the internet can be extremely overwhelming, especially when ND content is by no means mainstream. I’m going to dive in headfirst and bring up the best, shiniest, most interesting treasure, so you don’t have to!
As I adjusted (and continue to adjust) to an ND paradigm, I find myself doing a ton of internet deep-dive research on neurodiversity in all of its forms. Like many of you, I have a burning desire to share what I learn. And so, rather than ranting about it to my family 24/7 or tweeting about it, I thought I’d package it up and send it to the people who’d be most interested.
2. To provide a potential tool for education and sharing knowledge.
I see this unfolding in two ways.
First, for late-identified neurodivergent adults.
A ton of the information out there (on autism and ADHD in particular) is focused on children and is written for parents of ND children. This is due in no small part to the misconception that these are “children’s disorders” that can be grown out of. I’ll focus on information adults would find interesting, useful, and educational.
For an adult grappling with a recent realization or assessment that is causing a paradigm-identity shift (been there, still doing that), having a regular source of information about neurodiversity in manageable pieces rather than trying to drink from the fire hydrant of the internet all at once may be useful.
Second, for the neurotypical crowd.
I’ve noticed one of the major efforts of ND individuals is education of mainstream neurotypical folks in order to promote inclusive and empathetic practices. I’m not saying this SHOULD fall on our shoulders, but I am passionate about doing any work that will move society toward a future in which neurodiversity is celebrated, invited, and included in ways that respect everyone’s needs.
The information I’ll share will be useful for any NT individual looking to educate themselves about the ND population and our experiences.
Who is this newsletter for?
Anybody who’s interested in learning more about neurodiversity, what’s going on in the world of neurodiversity right now, and ways to support this community.
Anybody who’s interested in finding new friends they can connect with and relate to around the topic of neurodiversity. (Each issue will contain a “Connect” section in which I’ll share the social media accounts of real-life neurodivergents you can connect with in the wild!)
What will it look like?
Here’s a screenshot of the first page of Issue 1. (Note that none of the links will be active in the screenshot; you’ll have to get a copy of NEURODIVERSION in order to get access to the links.)
How do I get a copy?
Issue 1 of NEURODIVERSION is in pdf form below! Click the “Download” button to get your copy.
Each subsequent issue will be delivered directly to the email inboxes of those who sign up to receive it.
You can sign up to receive monthly issues of NEURODIVERSION by entering your email address below. I promise never to use your email for any other purpose than this newsletter, or to give away or to sell your email address to anyone.
I am so excited to be starting this new venture, and to learn and grow along with all of you in the wonderful ways of neurodiversity!
Allison Wall 
Allison, this is really awesome! I’m 52, in the process of getting a full psych work-up for the first time (after 27 years of depression and a bipolar misdiagnosis, taking mood stabilizers for 10 years). So few people have the knowledge you have and want to share it with adults who are neurodiverse. There are so many of people who are being diagnosed in the 30’s, 40’s, and older who don’t know what to do.
I didn’t know what to do, but I have a background in psychology. I wasn’t getting better. My depression was horrible, and I was having rage fits. I’m not a mean person, never had a problem with anger before, so that was very upsetting to me. No one was helping me, so, I did a whole lot of research about my symptoms, side effects, a whole lot of things. I determined that I was misdiagnosed – CPTSD and Asperger’s are the diagnoses the my symptoms and background match with. Rather than go with what my therapist is saying, BPD, I decided to get testing done. I don’t want to spend more time on another misdiagnosis.
I’ve seen so many other people online say the same thing I’ve felt my entire life – I don’t fit in, no one gets me, I’ve felt like an alien my entire life, I don’t get it. Whatever “it” is that I’m supposed to get, the NT’s take it for granted, they don’t struggle with it. I’m an introvert, really quiet, but I can still talk a person’s ear off about my favorite subjects (psychology, lol! and law), and I love writing.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You’re going to help a lot of people. That’s what I want to do, too.
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