Last year I gave a talk on Neurodiversity, Mindfulness and Belonging. In the talk I shared how our world is full of neurodiverse thinking, but some of them are neurotypical and some are neurodivergent (thinking significantly differently than typical thinkers).

This talk was the first time I shared about my journey as an educator that’s worked with neurodivergent children across the globe and as a partner alongside my husband, diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Being married to someone who is neurodivergent, and navigating his diagnosis, has created opportunity to grow my compassion and advocacy deeper. 

Here’s what’s alive in me as I grow my commitment to the neurodivergent community: 

• We ALL need safety to thrive and the way we experience the world is mediated through our nervous systems.
• Being neurodivergent is kind of like swimming against the current--it’s navigating schools, workplaces and a world full of systems not designed for you. 
• Mindfulness is not a panacea. While it can be supportive for brains of all kinds it may also reinforce the status quo rather than liberating ourselves from oppressive systems.  
• Neurodivergent perspectives invite us to question dominant ways of being and doing. 

The journey of creating spaces that authentically embody a sense of belonging is an ongoing one, and each day unfolds new lessons.

I kicked off the month of March by offering a keynote, “Cultivating Understanding and Belonging: Positively Impacting Youth Mental Health" for the 26th Annual Jon E. Nadherny/Calciano Memorial Symposium in Santa Cruz, CA. Several hundred educators, mental and medical health professionals attended. My talk focused on how we can create spaces where everyone has a sense of belonging, especially those who are neurodivergent.   

How can we collectively elevate our consciousness and foster an inclusive mindset that not only accepts but celebrates the distinctive strengths and perspectives of every individual? It is through collective introspection and action that we can create transformative change.

Below are more resources on Neurodiversity and Belonging, a podcast on living well, and climate action event for educators

PS

My TEDx on Tenderness has surpassed 1 million views placing it in the top 30 most popular TEDx Talks in the past year. It's truly humbling to witness how the power of tenderness is resonating with so many hearts around the world. Thank you for watching, sharing and liking!