This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week – a week designed to celebrate varieties of neurodivergent people living in the UK and challenge stereotypes and advocate for improved social care and support for individuals who process stimulation and information differently due to how their brains and minds operate. According to research from Twinkl, it is estimated that 15 – 20% of the UK population are neurodivergent with conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Down Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Tourette’s syndrome and many others.
This also extends to young people, with an estimated one in 36 children believed to be on the autism spectrum with a dramatic increase in diagnosis with 350% rise in children awaiting an autism assessment since the Covid-19 pandemic.
At Paisley YMCA, we strive to provide an inclusive space for young people to safely express themselves and explore their interests with others. Several of our young people are neurodivergent and others are awaiting diagnosis. Paisley YMCA creates opportunities for young people from all spectrums to come together and form understandings of each other while also acting as a space away from stresses and triggers of everyday struggles for many neurodivergent people.
Our staff also believe in the impact of neurodivergent celebration, as several of our staff are also on the neurodiverse spectrum. Our CLD Communcations worker Olivia Armstrong (who received her autism diagnosis in 2015) states;
“I believe every young person, regardless of neurotype, deserves a safe, judgement-free space that allows them to be themselves. But neurodivergent young people especially need a space growing up that allows them to freely express themselves in a way they may be discouraged from doing in other environments. They can meet others who may be like them or share their interests and the joy and connections that can come from that is crucial to positive development for those who may feel alienated in daily life because they think or interact with the world differently from others.
“I also think that as an autistic staff member that the young people often interact with, I can serve as an example to other neurodivergent young people that there is no such thing as their condition being a problem that requires ‘fixing’ – there are also many adults just like them that can live fulfilling and independent lives, provided they are given support through their development. Neurodivergent young people will soon grow into neurodivergent adults and the importance of normalising neurodiversity early leads to improved support and care into adulthood.
“I can also show neurotypical young people that autistic people are extremely varied and that you can’t judge someone based on their neurotype – if you meet one autistic person, you’ve simply met one autistic person. This normalises a lack of negative judgement in young people. Every neurodivergent person has a different set of challenges and talents and that deserves to be celebrated both this week and all year round.”
Check out our social media pages and Eventbrite page for regular updates and how to sign up for our weekly free youth clubs for young people in Renfrewshire.