The Lord of the Shrinks – Episode 14 : Neurodiversity
By Elise FERRER (M2) and Maude LERICHE (M1)
Starring :
- Abby LEYTON, the interviewer (interpreted by Maude LERICHE & Elise FERRER)
- Julia HAYDEN, the psychologist (interpreted by Elise FERRER)
- Laureen JAMES, the guest (interpreted by Maude LERICHE)
*Sounds better with headphones on. Enjoy !
TRANSCRIPT
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INTERVIEWER : Hello, welcome to episode 14 of Lord Of The Shrinks. I’m Abby and today we are talking about neurodiversity and how to parent a child who’s neuro-atypical.
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INT : Welcome to Lord Of The Shrinks, Julia Hayden, so you’re an expert in neurodiversity ?
PSYCHOLOGIST : I am actually, I’m a developmental psychologist who devoted her life to helping atypical children get the help they need.
INT : Then you must be able to tell us more about neurodiversity, neurodivergence… All these obscure words we’re hearing about everywhere. It feels like a new trend going ‘round.
PSY : Well, neurodiversity is a term created by Judy Singer in the late 90s. The Australian sociologist wanted to underline the “limitless variability of human cognition and uniqueness of each human mind”. She used the term neurodivergent to advocate for the inclusion and the accommodation of all types of cognitive functioning. At first, it was mostly referring to people on the autism spectrum but as time went on, it was also used to talk about people with ADHD or learning disabilities and even giftedness. In other words, we’re talking about people whose brain works a little differently. Their brain isn’t broken or dysfunctioning, it is just atypical you could say.
INT : While looking it up, I found some interesting articles (Den Houting, 2018*) criticizing the “Neurodiversity Movement”. Why is it so controversial ?
PSY : There’s a lot of debate on ASD, ADHD, giftedness and learning disorders in general. Some researchers believe that it’s just a difference, not a disability. Some just aren’t fond of the term because of its definition, which isn’t always well understood.
INT : And what’s your take on the concept ?
PSY : I get that the term “neurodiverse” is quite ambiguous and quite criticized in the scientific world. But I do think it helps to explain some behaviors and difficulties. It’s really easy to minimize someone’s struggles and say that “they’re just quirky”, “they just do that weird thing”. It excludes them from getting help or the accommodations they need. Besides, it’s sometimes very hard to draw a line between diagnoses ; the fact that neurodivergence is a broad term helps get things in motion. Because putting a label, a name on it isn’t the important part, it’s what you can do to adjust and adapt to the difficulties that matters.
INT : Thanks for your input.
PSY : You’re welcome !
INT : In this program we will talk about the different actors who revolve around the child such as teachers and parents of neurodiverse children. Let’s welcome a new guest, Laureen, mother of a child on the autism spectrum.
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INT : Studies allow us to have an insight on parental experience when it comes to living with a child with disability. Often parents are forced to take time off work to support their children and take them to various medical appointments for instance. And sometimes the disorder is so severe it impacts the couple. Parents can frequently feel helplessness, injustice, incomprehension or frustration due to their child’s developmental difficulties. The feeling of guilt is also a much reported feeling as well as the fear of exclusion from society for them and for their child. To discuss this aspect of neurodiversity, we’re joined by Laureen. Morning, Laureen !
GUEST : Morning !
INT : You’re Emy’s mother, how old is she ? What can you tell us about her ?
GUE : To introduce myself I’m Laureen and my daughter Emy is 10 years old and is on the autism spectrum. Communication can be difficult with Emy, she’s found it hard to socialize with others, whether at school with her classmates but also with her older brother. Her teacher was telling us about how Emy isolates herself, often stares into space and how during group activities or recess she doesn’t play with others.
INT : And how is it at home ?
GUE : At home, Emy communicates more with her father and I. She usually only talks about the same things, insects and butterflies. She’s passionate, it’s her special interest… She spends a lot of her time observing them in the garden. It can be very difficult to discuss other matters with her. Learning emotional regulation is more complicated with a child with autism, Emy can sometimes throw a few fits and we try to be more present and listen to her more. I stopped working on Wednesdays to take her to speech therapy and to the neuropsychologist. It’s hard to admit but we are sometimes exhausted.
INT : When did you find out that she was on the autism spectrum ?
GUE : The diagnosis was established two years ago, it was a really hard time, but at the same time it was kind of a relief.
INT : Is it common to feel relief when reaching a diagnosis ?
PSY : It can be, yes. The diagnosis can be a moment of relief for parents because they put a word on their child’s behavior and this helps to clarify the symptoms. Parents can adapt their educational position and become an active partner in care. It helps get accommodations at school for instance. However, it can be hard to get out of this label when the child grows up, and that’s when psychoeducation and information like what we’re doing right now comes into play.
INT : And what do you do at home to make things easier ? What tips could you give us ?
GUE : Well, professionals advised us to talk more with her, to take an interest in her enthusiasm for insects, which is quite narrowed. This allows us to create a bond with her so that she feels listened to and understood. Emy is a young girl who experiences stimming behaviors quite often, she can pull her hair out, spin or break things without meaning to. The neuropsychologist recommended that we provide her with safe toys she could use for self-regulation or self-calming without endangering herself.
INT : As a professional, are there any tips you could give Laureen or any other parents of neurodiverse kids ?
PSY : Well, let’s remind everyone that neurodiversity is a broad concept and that it can be expressed in many different ways. Unfortunately teachers aren’t well prepared to teach neurodiverse children and can express some difficulties in doing so. I believe it’s also the parents’ role to explain their children’s difficulties or disorders and share their experience and tips.
Also, I’d like to remind everyone that it is okay, as a parent, to feel tired and to experience difficulties. Therapy and parental guidance are available and can be the help you need.
INT : Thank you Mrs. Hayden for all your advice and this insight on neurotypical disorders and thank you Laureen for your testimony.
PSY : It was with pleasure, I think it is important to talk about these little-known disorders.
GUE : Thank you for listening to me. I hope my testimony can help some parents not to feel guilty about their child’s difficulties.
INT : I am sure your testimony will be of great help. As for me, I’ll see you next week for a new issue on the struggles of being a teenage mother. Take care, good bye.
GUE : Bye !
PSY : Have a good day.
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SOURCES
Damville, E., Rousselot-Pailley, B., Velasquez, P., Clouet, A., Nombret, K., Golse, B., Falissard, B. & Robel, L. (2017). L’évaluation de l’enfant en centre de ressources autisme : analyse de récits de parents par la théorisation ancrée. La psychiatrie de l’enfant, 60, 305-328. https://doi.org/10.3917/psye.602.0305
*Den Houting, J. (2018). Neurodiversity : An insider’s perspective. Autism, 23(2), 271‑273. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361318820762
Morin, A., & Viersta, G. (2021, 7 octobre). What Neurodiversity Means : “In It” Podcast. Understood.Org. https://www.understood.org/podcast/in-it/what-is-neurodiversity-an-interview-with-the-host-of-the-neurodiversity
Singer, J. (2019). What is Neurodiversity? Neurodiversity2.Blogspot.Com. https://neurodiversity2.blogspot.com/p/what.html