Full Transcript for Bridging the Gap Between Trauma & Neurodivergence

WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:02.479 Welcome back to Balance Unfiltered. 00:00:02.720 --> 00:00:07.040 I'm your host, Aisha, and I'm so grateful you're here with me today. 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:14.240 I'm excited to share this episode because it helps to bridge the gap between neurodivergence and trauma. 00:00:14.400 --> 00:00:16.399 It helps it to bring full circle. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:23.679 The topic that we're discussing is often misunderstood and incredibly important. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:28.879 We're discussing the connection between neurodivergence and trauma. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:40.000 We're talking about how they shape our lived experiences, where they overlap, and why understanding both is crucial for healing, self-awareness, and compassionate support. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:54.719 So whether you're neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or you're navigating trauma recovery, my hope is that this episode will offer you clarity, validation, and encouragement. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:57.920 And be sure to share it with someone you love. 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:03.119 Let's begin with answering the question: what is neurodivergence? 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:14.560 The term neurodivergence was coined by the autism rights activist Kasyan Asasu Masum and popularized by the sociologist Judy Singer. 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:27.760 It's an umbrella term that describes anyone whose brain processes, learns, or behaves differently from what is considered typical or normal by societal standards. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:31.359 Neurodivergence is not a flaw or disorder. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:35.840 It is naturally a variation of how the brain functions. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:53.359 And this can include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's, sensory processing differences, or anything that impacts cognitive functioning like chronic stress, PTSD, or OCD. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:02:01.840 So experts have estimated that one in five people or 20% of the population are neurodivergent. 00:02:02.480 --> 00:02:05.439 So that means one in five of us. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:07.359 Think about that for a moment. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:12.080 Neurodivergence isn't rare, it's a part of the human spectrum. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:15.759 And sometimes, believe it or not, you won't even notice it. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:28.319 It's important to note that neurodivergence exists on a spectrum, not just between diagnostic labels, but how individuals experience the world. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:31.919 Every neurodivergent person is different. 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:45.439 Some may have support needs that are visible, while other people may appear to just be coping just fine externally, but are masking their true selves to fit in. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:48.719 And we'll talk about masking in a little bit. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:51.039 But for right now, let's talk about trauma. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:03:00.719 Trauma is not just what happens to you, it's what happens inside you as a result of overwhelming external experiences. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:08.960 Trauma occurs when there's an inability to cope, and the body stores that stress in our nervous system. 00:03:09.520 --> 00:03:39.680 Trauma can result from a myriad of things, and some of them include different events like accidents, assault, or natural disasters, chronic stressors like emotional neglect, bullying, or systemic oppression, developmental or relational trauma in early childhood, or even medical trauma, especially for neurodivergent individuals whose sensory needs are often dismissed. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:52.240 Trauma leaves a psychological imprint and it changes the way we interpret safety, how we relate to our bodies, and how we navigate the world. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:04:02.800 For many people, especially those who are neurodivergent, trauma and nervous system dysregulation are constant companions, so they correlate. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:12.719 But let's explore the intersection of neurodivergence and trauma because this is where a lot of misunderstanding and mislabeling happens. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:19.519 Neurodivergent individuals often experience higher rates of trauma across their lifetime. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:21.360 But here are four reasons why. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:27.040 Now, there can be many reasons why, but here are four in particular that I've witnessed. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:31.920 Masking and social rejection will be number one. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:38.560 Many neurodivergent people learn to hide their true selves just to fit in. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:41.199 And this act is called masking. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:47.759 This takes a psychological toll over time and often leads to complex trauma. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:50.879 Number two, sensory overwhelm. 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:59.519 In spaces that are not designed with neurodivergent people in mind, sensory input can feel threatening or even painful. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:08.160 And over time, repeated sensory trauma can lead to shutdown, meltdowns, anxiety, or even hypervigilance. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:12.399 Number three, misdiagnosis and medical trauma. 00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:14.079 And this is a big one. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:18.319 They're all big, but this is this is even heavier. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:29.920 Neurodivergent people, especially girls, women, and BIPOC individuals, are often misunderstood, undiagnosed, or mislabeled. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:37.439 And for that reason alone, the diagnostic process itself can be invalidating or traumatic. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:42.800 And lastly, number four, educational and systemic trauma. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:47.920 Many neurodivergent people face punishment for things they can't control. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:54.399 And oftentimes we see this in children, even in schools or their homes. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:06:07.680 And this could look like them being punished for the need to STEM or not