Queer & Neurodivergent: Let’s Talk!
Welcome to a wordy blog about “things that makes life wild and wonderful but also really really hard”: Being LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent or what I like to say ‘neurospicy’.
For people who are both LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent (think: ADHD, Autism or somewhere fabulously off the neurotypical map) everyday can feel like trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded with someone yelling “Just be normal” from the back… Spoiler alert: “being normal” is tough when society’s idea of normal never included you in the first place.
Masking the Mental Mayhem like a Pro… Until you Crash.
Masking is the art of pretending and neurodivergent people are unfortunately very good at it. Add queer identity to that equation and you might be performing two full time personas before lunch. One study looked at trans and/or non-binary autistic adults and found that masking both, neurotypical behaviours and gender identity, was linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety and a strong desire to just vibe in peace without constant “society’s normal identity” management.
Let’s talk numbers because they don’t lie (even if your anxiety tells you they might): LGBTQIA+ young people with autism are 50% more likely to attempt suicide compared to their non-autistic queer peers. Fifty. Percent. That is like half your party guests suddenly left because the cake was secretly made of existential dread!
Why? Because living at this intersection comes with double the pressure. You are already trying to decode social rules that were written in invisible ink and now add gender identity, sexuality and society’s constant side-eye to the mix.
Healthcare is Playing Catchup… or at least trying to… Big Sigh!
Here is a trick question: How many hospital visits does it take to understand both neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ identity?
In a large survey, neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ adults reported more mental health struggles, more co-occurring diagnosis and more unmet healthcare needs. Translation: we need better healthcare providers and more than five LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists per continent. Need I say more…
Despite the challenges, neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people are culture-shapers, boundary pushers and innovation-generators.
Safe Spaces and Rainbow Shields!
Let’s rethink the system. Starting by clear and respectful communication and care plans that actually fits peoples’ lifestyles, not a checklist. Because let’s face it, “One-size-fits-all” usually fits none. Another idea is to make hospitals wheelchair accessible. That means automatic doors that work. Ramps that are not obstacle courses. And plinths that adjust for all bodies.
Confessions and Reflections: From Anatomy Charts to Real Hearts…
As a physiotherapy student, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about anatomy, exercise techniques, pain and muscle groups. However, I’ve started to realise that what we don’t see in textbooks. Like masking, sensory overload or fear of being misgendered. All this can have just as much impact on someone’s well-being as muscle strain or joint stiffness. It’s been a journey of learning to unlearn assumptions.
The Therapist who understands Both Red Flags and Rainbow Flags…
If you are wondering: “Is anyone actually doing this?” —- Meet Jo Southall, my educator and an occupational therapist who is an expert patient and an accessibility trailblazer. Jo works remotely through video chat which makes accessibility feel… accessible. She runs a lovely pacing masterclass, possibly the first time someone had made energy management feel useful and oddly comforting.
Her clients range from neurodivergent and hypermobile people to anyone who has ever been told by their GP “just drink more water and try yoga”. So basically, if you are neurodivergent and need someone who gets the chaos and the brilliance, Jo is your person.
Written by Fizza Hasan for Jo Southall
You can download this in poster format too!
References:
https://www.axios.com/2022/04/29/lgbtq-youth-autism-suicide-survey
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2023.0151
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10280185
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10280216
https://molecularautism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13229-024-00634-0
