The Neurodivergent Youth Worker

Stimming! Stimming is an important tool in the self-care toolbox for neurodivergent people. It supports emotional regulation & expression. I love Summer Farrelly’s explainer. If you want to learn more about Autistic young people, following their page is a great place to start!

Ever wondered why autistics stim or what stimming is?

Not all autistics stim and just because you stim doesn't mean you are autistic.
Stimming can be for many different reasons.

I often use vocal stimming by repeating words over and over, often saying the words as fast as I can.

This is how I clear the clutter and unfinished thoughts in my head so I can focus on new tasks.

Sometimes I will add another repetitive action like a hand flapping movement or bouncing on the spot.

My life wasn't always about embracing my autistic self, when I was younger, before I found my voice.

I would bounce and flap my hands, I was often teased and laughed at.

Some adults around me would tell me not to stim because I guess it embarrassed them, and they didn't like the stares or whispers, my heart became hurt and sad because I couldn't be me.

I wanted to shout this is how I self-regulate.

My stimming wasn't being disrespectful, harmful nor was it interfering with anyone or the life they live.

I had to stop doing something that made me feel happy, helped me stay focused on tasks and was a way that I could self-regulate.

If the adults around me educated members of the community and my peers instead of trying to change me.

I may not have had self-esteem and mental health challenges on the level that I do now.

I may have used stimming as a self-regulation outlet instead of self-harming.

Stimming is how I divert my negative mindset.

Stimming is how I remain focused and relax.

💛 Summer

*This post is from my own personal perspective, I do not represent all autistic experiences *

Acknowledgment of Country
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The Neurodivergent Youth Worker works & lives on the lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. We respectfully acknowledge the Bunurong people, and all First Peoples and their enduring connection to this beautiful, vast and ancient land.
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We gratefully acknowledge & pay our respect to the elders and ancestors who have continuously nurtured these lands and waters, enabling all people & creatures who live here to thrive.
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We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
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We respectfully acknowledge Bunjil the creator’s law that those on this land bring no harm to children, and commit to honour this in the work we do to support neurodivergent young people of all cultures, identities & backgrounds.
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We acknowledge the unique cultural, spiritual and community needs of First Nations Neurodivergent children & young people, and respect that they are best cared for through their own cultural connections & communities.
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We encourage any First Peoples who have Autistic family & kin to connect with the ‘Autism Aboriginal Way’ Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1478863162159107/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF

Image credit: ‘Autism Aboriginal Way’ Facebook group.

What is masking? This informative piece from Autism Actually’s wonderful Shadia Hancock explains.

Masking can be extremely problematic for us Autistic folks, leading to mental ill health & burnout. Creating space for Autistic young people to safely unmask is an important aspect of neurodiversity-inclusive practice.

Thanks to I CAN Network Ltd for bringing this piece back to my attention.

#TakeTheMaskOff Campaign The campaign was started by Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate) and Hanna Molesworth (Do I Look Autistic Yet?) to spread awareness and acceptance about Autism and masking. Masking, also known as camouflaging, is very common in the Autism community, and can lead to burnout...

Hi, I’m Heather Ryan - The Neurodivergent Youth Worker. I am multiply neurodivergent and have nearly 20yrs of experience in the youth sector, working directly with young people individually and in groups, along with extensive experience in capacity building, inclusion & equity, training and advising.

I am proudly Autistic, ADHD & have lived experience of mental ill health. I am a qualified Youth Worker and have a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health & Wellbeing from the University of Melbourne.

Over two decades of practicing youth work, I’ve noticed the over representation of neurodivergent young people accessing all types of youth services. I’ve also recognised the youth, mental health & education sector’s deep desire to provide meaningful inclusion for neurodivergent young people, but not knowing where to begin or how to go about it.

That’s where I can help! Being a proudly neurodivergent person with extensive experience working with young people & families in youth-centred settings, I understand the needs of your team & service, and most importantly, the needs of the neurodivergent young people you work with.

The good news is, providing neurodivergent-inclusive services isn’t hard, you already have the resources & capacity, you just need some training & guidance in how to go about it. I can provide your team with the guiding principles, approach, strategies and lived experience expertise required to do it!

So if you work with neurodivergent young people and want to learn about how I can help your service & practitioners to become neuro-affirming, get in touch with me by DM or at: [email protected] & we can schedule a convenient time to chat about tailored training & consulting services.

Hi, I’m Heather Ryan - The Neurodivergent Youth Worker. I am multiply neurodivergent and have nearly 20yrs of experience in the youth sector, working directly with young people individually and in groups, along with extensive experience in capacity building, inclusion & equity, training and advising.

I am proudly Autistic, ADHD & have lived experience of mental ill health. I am a qualified Youth Worker and have a Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health & Wellbeing from the University of Melbourne.

Over two decades of practicing youth work, I’ve noticed the over representation of neurodivergent young people accessing all types of youth services. I’ve also recognised the youth, mental health & education sector’s deep desire to provide meaningful inclusion for neurodivergent young people, but not knowing where to begin or how to go about it.

That’s where I can help! Being a proudly neurodivergent person with extensive experience working with young people & families in youth-centred settings, I understand the needs of your team & service, and most importantly, the needs of the neurodivergent young people you work with.

The good news is, providing neurodivergent-inclusive services isn’t hard, you already have the resources & capacity, you just need some training & guidance in how to go about it. I can provide your team with the guiding principles, approach, strategies and lived experience expertise required to do it!

So if you work with neurodivergent young people and want to learn about how I can help your service & practitioners to become neuro-affirming, get in touch with me by DM or at: [email protected] & we can schedule a convenient time to chat about tailored training & consulting services.