Something needs to change

Hello friends!
It’s Jaz.

The kitchen was half-clean.

I planned to finish it too, I really did.

Only I didn’t.

Something was on my mind.

I walked to my laptop, sat on the carpet of my hotel room and shut my eyes.

“I love that so many of us are learning about our brains. It’s so good to feel supported and validated. Content creators are doing a wonderful job. I’m so glad to be a part of this amazingly divergent community.” I told myself with a smile.

“But something concerns me and I have to speak up about it. Yes, I know… my therapist might remind me to stop here and pause. I’m thinking about the what if’s again, but I can’t help it.”

I opened my browser.

“I’m good at thinking of the what ifs.

I think about them so much, I’d feel a bit weird if I didn’t think about them.”

I navigated here to my website and thought hard.

“Tonight, I will create a blog.” I told myself. “I’ll share my what ifs someplace, along with all my other thoughts and ideas too. Otherwise they’ll just crowd my mind.”

Something had dawned on me.

It probably surfaced from anxiety and those “what ifs”.

Information is abundant.

It’s available online, through news articles, websites, podcasts, blogs, support networks, social media and passing conversation.

A quick Google search or YouTube video easily gives us insight into our symptoms of ADHD and ASD.

Everyday, I am thankful for the amazing content and experiences that neurodivergent creators and advocates release.

With this information becoming so readily available, it’s important to keep in mind that anyone can access this content.

The reason for this post is not to cause fear or anxiety in others. It is to suggest a topic of ensuring the safety of my neurodiverse friends and community.

We need to be aware at least for a start that this knowledge is being made available to people that need it most, it is also accessible to treacherous individuals that could that knowledge for ill intent.

Look, under here! It’s a happy page break!

**Hello, friend! Take a break here if you need to hydrate/stretch? Are there any important priorities you might need to complete before you return to read the next part? Focus can be tough sometimes, leave this open if you like and go to the things you might need to do. Jaz’s Journal should still be here when you return!**

Safety is important.

As a person on the Autism spectrum and an ADHDer, I can struggle to determine someone’s motive or intentions behind their interactions, requests or body language. I have experienced various forms of exploitation and neglect which is a big driving force as to why I’m sharing my thoughts on this matter. If you feel want to, feel comfortable and are adequately supported, I encourage you to find a safe place and do the same.

Speaking up about our experiences of mistreatment, any form of discrimination helps bring awareness.

As much as it can be beneficial to learn about our brains, it is also important to remember that we are openly sharing the insights into our brains with… everyone.

I’m all for encouraging people to express their true selves so we can better relate and connect with one another.

The bottom line:

I think if we are to continue sharing information that explains the inner workings of our brains, then we should also add the same amount of care into protection from exploitation, misconduct, indecent physical contact, abuse and neglect of Autistic and ADHDers and in fact anyone from any background that feels marginalised or is at risk of unfair treatment.

More advocacy and protection is needed in the Autistic and ADHD community to ensure our safety and that we are well looked after by our family, friends, organisations and professionals that support us. This protection should be at the forefront of quality care.

If you are an individual that identifies as neurodivergent or someone that cares about neurodivergent individuals, please leave your thoughts below.

– Jaz.



***

I’ve said how I feel, but I am just one person.

All thoughts and feelings are valid and all voices deserve to be heard.

So, let’s start the conversation.

What are your thoughts?

Do you think there is a need to better safeguard our community?

What do you think can be done to ensure the safety of ADHDers and those on the Autism Spectrum?