Last November, Em and I led a Members’ Networking zoom on the topic of Neurodiversity and mentoring. This came about through our observation that awareness and diagnosis of neurodivergence, particularly Autism and ADHD, seems to be increasing. More broadly, there seems to be a moment happening in the media with several recent TV shows featuring neurodivergence. I’ve enjoyed watching shows like Love on the Spectrum and Austin. Aside from this moment in the media, I have a couple of friends recently receive diagnoses of ADHD as adults. I have family members on the autism spectrum and who have dyslexia and dyscalculia. I’ve also had a mentoree who I’ve been walking with over the last few years as she’s travelled the ADHD diagnosis journey.
Now as Em and I were discussing how to approach this topic, she reminded me of the very helpful phrase “Nothing about us without us”.
This is a helpful phrase to remember whenever we’re wanting to learn about a human experience or condition that is not our own. So, to that end, we based our session around a video from Von Kilpatrick who is a psychologist and Professional Supervisor who also has Autism and ADHD.
We also highlighted some resources at the end of the session from people who are themselves neurodivergent.
To begin with, I showed a couple of powerpoint slides outlining some basic terminology.
Terminology:
Prefix neuro-
– literally means nerve
– refers to nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves)
We are all neurodiverse.
Typically, people’s brains operate in broadly similar ways. They are neurotypical.
Some people’s brains operate in ways different to the typical. They are neurodivergent.
From Von’s video, we gleaned some key points for us as mentors working with neurodivergent mentorees. Von also reminded us of the ‘unconscious incompetence – unconscious competence’ trajectory of skill development and reminded us to have self-compassion as we grow in our knowledge and expertise in this area.
From the large group discussion, it was clear that we have varying understandings of and experiences with neurodiversity. There were some excellent examples shared of curiosity, hospitable mentoring and creative accommodations made for mentorees as needed. We also discussed the fact that the aim of mentoring people is not to make our mentoree more like us (or in this case, more ‘neurotypical’) but to facilitate their growth according to the goals they have set. In the Christian mentoring framework, this would sit within the God-ordained purpose for humanity, of right relationships with God, self and others.
We all have much to learn as we seek to understand neurodivergence and its impact on our mentorees and ourselves.
Below is a list of resources mentioned by various members and a brief explanation of them. They are a great place to start as you move from the unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence space.
– Kylie Brown
ACMN Committee Member & Professional Mentor
Resources:
PDF downloads
- The Neurodivergent Toolkit has some excellent general information about neurodivergence. From a Financial Counsellor who is neurodivergent.
- Everyone Welcome: Accessibly church for All by Dr Louise Gosbell is an excellent resource from an Australian theologian.
Book
- The year I met my brain: A travel companion for adults who have just found out they have ADHD – by Matilda Boseley
Website
- https://www.additudemag.com/ – A US based organisation with free webinars and resources.
Audio
- Dr Loise Gosbell speaking on the ABC radio program Soul Search in an episode called Disability and the Shape of Hope
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