Neurodiversity Unbound

Neurodiversity Unbound

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Empowering neurodiversity through education, mentorship, consulting, research, and self-advocacy.

About Neurodiversity Unbound

Neurodiversity Unbound is more than just a business; it's a movement, a mission, and a lifeline for those navigating the diverse and intricate world of neurodiversity. Founded and led by Dani, widely recognized as the Punk Rock Autistic across various social media platforms, our organization is at the forefront of disability advocacy, education, and consultancy. About

Operating as usual

11/27/2024

Follow me on Blue Sky -trash.bsky.social! Shout out to Neurodivergent Rebel for this incredible thread, it’s really engaging dialogue from the autistic community on how problematic ABA is.

11/27/2024

I need some help from folks who can and are willing to volunteer to help admin my new disability community discord server!

As I am sure some of you may be aware by most recent posts, I am working on transitioning the The Punk Rock Autistic page off of FB.

Part of that process involves me having made a Discord server to further connect with all of you! I use Discord a lot, but I am not too skilled on the moderation site of things. TPRA once had a server, but due to my mental health at the time I wasn't capable of running it and it ended up being closed.

With this new server, which I have named Neurodiversity Community Collective, (naming may chance, but going with that for the time being) I want to continue building community with all of you! However, in order for this to run well, I am in desperate need of a few folks who are more savvy with Discord than I am to help me moderate and admin the server, not to mention helping me get things set up with privacy, channels, bots and what not!

If you have the time and energy to volunteer to assist me in making this become a reality and a place where we can connect and support each other, please let me know!

Send me an email at [email protected]
Or, shoot me a message directly on Discord, my username is neuro_trash
Thanks!

11/27/2024

If you have seen the recent posts on The Punk Rock Autistic, you are probably aware that Dani is working on the process of transitioning TPRA away from FB. Dani will however, continue running Neurodiversity Unbound here on FB!

Please continue to support our work for autistic and disability advocacy and education here on this page and share these posts so others are aware of this transition!

We thank you for your continued support and understanding while we make these changes. As a disabled owned and ran education and consultant organization, we are going to continue to fight for all of us!

Nothing about us, without us!

10/21/2024

It's time for a little gratitude post:

Recently, we did a really big project: I trained and provided a neurodivergent DEIA training for a large group over of over 150 people on autism education for the workplace.

It was my largest workshop and employer training yet. Due to nondisclosure agreements, I am not at liberty to be able to discuss the name of the organization I provided this workshop with - but in fairness to them, it's totally understandable, and they really did go above and beyond to make sure they were accommodating and open to learn how to best provide support for their autistic employees and coworkers.

I am finally feeling like Neurodiversity Unbound is moving forward, and I am feeling confident in the risks and stresses it took to make this dream a reality was worth it. Thing is, the only thing really holding me back is promotion, networking, and marketing.
As an autistic and disability community advocate and educator, my job is my passion - making the world a better place for those like me through education, activism, advocacy, from within both the community and with families and individuals. All I want is to be the person that others like me needed, all I want is to be able to provide the information to make society understand and accept autistic and disabled people - not just in the workforce, but at home, at school, and in oneself. I have a lot of work cut out for me, but with this being my third big workforce project as well as with multiple universities and dozens of individuals and families already working with me as clients - I think progress is already proving that I made the right choice three years ago with leaving the "regular" 9-5 jobs as a social worker and case manager.

With all that said, none of this would have been possible if not for where it all began for me with starting The Punk Rock Autistic, and more importantly, none of this would have ever been a reality if it weren't for all of you here, this community we have made, all of my followers and supports; it's all thanks to you. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you so much.

10/17/2024

As you may know, I have been working with Oklahoma State University as an autistic community advocate, educator and consultant for their OCAST team's research program, where we are developing a study/survey called "The Meaningful Social Inclusion and Autistic Wellbeing Study."

This study is being conducted to better understand the autistic experience of autistic adults from their first hand lived experience. This study was recently peer reviewed published by JMIR and we based our protocols on the AASPIRE (Academic-Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education) guidelines. Now that we are in the data collection stage, I am looking for some folks who are autistic and would be interested in supporting our study and participate in the survey!

Here is some information on the survey: (In both pictures and text for accessibility)

The Meaningful Social Inclusion and Autistic Wellbeing Study

Who is Doing this Research?

-This study is being done by a team of disabled and neurodivergent researchers from Oklahoma State University (OSU).

The Research Team: The team is called the Disability and Wellness Research Collaborative. Dr. DJ McMaughan, PhD at Oklahoma State University (OSU) oversees this study. (They are the Principal Investigator). Dr. Michael Criss, PhD at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a researcher who is helping DJ with this study. The team also includes autistic community members, research assistants, and students. (This includes me as one of the autistic community advocates and educators - Dani, from Neurodiversity Unbound)

What is this study about?

-The purpose of this study is to try out a survey that looks at
how autistic people are included in the community. We also want to see how being included in the community affects autistic people’s wellbeing so we can better understand how communities may help autistic people thrive.

What will happen if I decide to be in the research study?

-We will ask you to take a survey. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete. You can complete the survey online by yourself or with help from someone you trust.

What will the survey questions be about?

-The surveys will ask questions about:

~Autistic Identity
~Mental Wellbeing
~Relationships, like friendships
~Community Participation
~Experiences with healthcare
~Other information about yourself

To participate in this study, you must:
1. Be autistic/have autism or be the caregiver of an autistic person 10+ years old
2. Be more than 18 years old
3. Be proficient in English since the survey is in English
4. Be physically located in the United States

How can I help with this study?

-You can take the survey here: https://bit.ly/autistic-social-inclusion
Please share the survey with people you know!
Principle Investigator: DJ McMaughan
Email: [email protected]
Office: 423 Willard Phone: 979-204-3983

09/19/2024
Photos from Neurodiversity Unbound's post 09/03/2024
08/29/2024

If we want to be advocates for disability rights, we need to be advocate for ALL disabilities.

Disabilities rights and activism must be intersectional. This isn’t just for more “common” or ”visible” disabilities, it’s for those that unseen, and those that are mental, emotional, genetic, neurological, physical, intellectual, developmental, chromosomal, and physiological. Far too often many disabled people are left behind, forgotten, and spoken over and for.

How can we gain progress if we aren’t including everyone?

08/26/2024

Amazing post on ableism from Autistic, Typing.

Ableism. Able-what? What is that? We have so many -isms, why are we so worried about being politically correct? *scoff*

The people who hurt autistic people the most are the people who care the most. I know I just bothered a lot of readers, but there's a lot of unlearning and relearning to be done, so set your discomfort aside and sit with what you're about to read before a gutteral rejection of that statement.

People who have ableist ideas, do ableist things, teach ableist methods, etc. are not bad people. We all have ableist ideas. Yes, even you. Me, too.

Ableism is not usually an intentional abuse of a disabled person, and it is usually the result of a well meaning person or organization that "didn't think of it that way". We all experience the world through a filter of our own experiences, and when people have only experienced the world from their own perspective, it can be tough to understand how circumstances impact someone who lives a different experience. We could pathologize this and use terms like "theory of mind", but that isn't what I do here, so we're just going to say "I didn't think of it that way." And that is exactly why it's so important to ask disabled people about their experiences and needs. Because disabled people have "thought of it that way."

Ableism is not providing opportunities for growth and success, or not presuming competence.

Ableism is not listening to a disabled person when they explain or request their support needs.

Ableism is talking about a disabled person as if they can't hear or understand us, or we speak for the person without first having listened to the person, or if they'd rather speak for themselves.

Ableism is limiting access to information or to the disability community.

Ableism is an event that does not have a clear directive on how to request accessibility.

Ableism is systems that don't allow for accessibility because of bureaucracy or set procedures that have no wiggle room for accommodation.

Ableism is assuming that a person's disability is a flaw, or using their disability to dismiss, insult, or degrade the way they experience and interact in the world.

Ableism is loving the person but hating their neurological classification.

Ableism is calling someone rude for not being able to or not wanting to speak, or tone policing the things that they do say.

Ableism is having a negative perception of a group of disabled people because you had an unpleasant interaction with someone, or because you don't agree with them.

Ableism is denying agency or autonomy, not allowing disabled people to make decisions about their own lives or bodies.

Ableism is denying a disabled person's rights to accessibility, because you want them to be able to do something, or because "the world won't change for them."

Ableism is disclosing or exposing a disabled person's private medical information, sharing meltdown videos, potty pictures, etc.

Ableism is expecting that a disabled person has access to support staff, which alleviates your responsibility to provide accessibility.

Ableism is passing judgment on people, not knowing their disability status, and assuming they can do something because you can do something.

Ableism is assuming that someone has a support in place so that they are able to do something that you think they should be able to do.

The vast majority of people have good intentions, but they just "haven't though of it that way" because that isn't the experience they've had in the world. That is why it is so important to listen to disabled people on the topic of our disability. It is not because we have all the answers (we don't), and it's not because we don't appreciate or want your support (we do), but we have spent our entire lives "thinking of it that way". So when we talk about something being ableist, it is not an evaluation of someone's character, it's an identification of discrimination, a barrier, or support need. And sometimes a support need is something as simple as validation and acceptance.

Ableism doesn't have to be intentional in order to be harmful. So if a disabled person says, "hey, that's harmful," please listen. That's how you show your character, that's how you demonstrate that you're a good, caring person.

08/23/2024

Every year I learn to unmask more than the last, and every year this brings about challenges in unlearning social conditioning, internalized ableism, and guilt - and at the same time, a more actualized and accepting view of who I am. I have learned that my goal in life is to be as authentically me as I can, and as time passes, I continue to unlearn my internalized emotional and mental conflict, I continue to unlearn the social conditioning that has been the source of my negative and externally constructed sense of shame.

For a time, this was a negative feedback loop for me. I felt imposter syndrome for exhibiting more "obvious traits," or that I was making people uncomfortable. I felt that I was "too autistic presenting," or not "presenting enough." It was for a long while, an unhealthy process. It was not until I found such an amazing community online of others like me, that I started to drop this emotional baggage and unlearn this mental pattern and habitual emotional cycle. For the first time in my life, I felt validated in who I was. I felt a sense of courage and pride in what I was. The neurodiversity community on social media has been a powerful force in allowing me to process my diagnosis, and to steer myself into a direction of feeling comfortable, happy, and proud of myself.

I feel that in some ways I will always struggle with internalized ableism, but I recognize now that this isn't a "problem" within me, but rather external factors within our own culture that manifest this reactionary emotion and tendency. It's something now I can mindfully recognize, but no longer feel weighed down by. Unmasking is now something I am happy to process, I no longer fear it. I'm no longer reactionary towards it. In a way, over the past few years there has been some real self-actualization that has taken place within me. I owe a lot of this not only to my own work and effort, but also to the amazing neurodivergent community and their solidarity and the power of their acceptance, validation, and open dialogue.

This is why giving disabled folks a place and a platform is so important, validating, and powerful. This is why self-advocacy is so vital. By building community, we can assist others to let go of the burdens of fear, guilt, unacceptance, social conditioning, and ableism.

08/23/2024

This.

Photos from Neurodiversity Unbound's post 08/23/2024

Discovering that you are autistic is a profound and transformative journey.

It marks a significant moment in your life.

A time filled with joy and a sense of liberation as you finally uncover the answers you’ve been seeking as you begin to reconnect and discover your authentic self. - But, it also marks a time that may be filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty.

This journey will be filled with trials of unmasking, asking you to reflect both on yourself and your surroundings. They will demand time, patience, trial and error, and a nurturing approach to self-love. While the process can be challenging as it may bring up old wounds, internalized guilt or shame, and it may present uncertainties in your interactions with others - it is also a path that leads to deeper understanding and acceptance.

As you navigate this journey, you'll find clarity and you’ll uncover your authentic self. You will find that you have developed the resilience needed to advocate for your needs and enhance your ability to understand and embrace who you genuinely are. With this newfound clarity, you will overcome incredible odds and difficulties, just as you have always done.

You may stumble and fall along the way, you may be challenged with new adversaries and hardships, yet, you will also find fellow travelers - people who just like you, are also on the same journey; comrades in arms who understand and know what you have been faced with along the way. In their company, you will find a sense of community and solidarity.

You’ll find that you were never alone at all.

As you set out on your journey, remember this - you will ultimately triumph. Even amidst the chaos and the challenges life presents, know that you were never broken or a failure.

You have always been exactly who you were meant to be; now it's just time to rediscover that truth.

Photos from Neurodiversity Unbound's post 08/23/2024

We’re a disabled owned small business, founded and ran by an autistic and q***r self-advocate, published research author, and disability educator with a background in case management, special education, social work, and disability direct support care.

We believe firmly in the intersectional ethos of “nothing about us without us,” and we carry this with us to best serve, support, advocate, and represent our community. Our trauma informed and person centered services are offered both locally to the Denver area, and online internationally.

Are you or a family member or friend newly diagnosed, going through the diagnostic journey, or have you always known, and navigating what it means to be neurodivergent?

Are you looking to understand or looking for education on the neurodivergent, disabled, or LGBTQIA experience?

Are you a business or educator, or DEIA, and are looking to better understand and accommodate your ND or q***r students and employees? Are you interested in training and workshops on neurodiversity?

Are you ND and struggling with navigating with family, social, and other interpersonal relationships? Are you learning to unmask, and are finding it challenging to feel understood or relate with others around you?

Are you looking to better understand how to advocate for yourself or your loved ones who are ND?

Are you a university conducting studies on ND populations and experiences, and are looking for research consultants with direct first hand experience?

If any of these questions apply to you, or if you are looking for more education, solidarity, education on what it means to be autistic, disabled, q***r, or neurodivergent - we can help! Please feel free to contact us for a free consultation!

08/05/2024

I’m looking for writers (English and Spanish) who may be interested in submitting your own writings, or co-authoring articles about autism, disability, and neurodivergence advocacy and education with me on my blog and website for Neurodiversity Unbound.

I am also building a larger database of resources for my sites, so if you would like your own page, site, business, etc., featured on it, also please let me know.

I can’t offer financial compensation at the moment, as even I don’t make anything from my blog and site, but I can offer a possible larger platform and SEO to utilize.

If you’re interested, please shoot me an email at [email protected]

Dani ‘The Punk Rock Autistic’ on Creating Employment That Works for Them 02/26/2024

Last week, I (Dani from TPRA,) was featured in the latest podcast interview with "Working to Work," where we discussed the barriers that exist for autistic and other disabled people, my personal experiences with difficulty in navigating accommodations and social expectations in employment, the systemic issues that exist for those who are disabled workers, and what can be done to create change that is equitable for all.

Sam, who runs Working to Work explains that "WTW explores the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent individuals in relation to employment and work at large.
With this project, I’m looking to understand the barriers faced by many neurodivergent individuals, including myself, in terms of obtaining and maintaining gratifying employment, and the impact it has on one’s life." Through conversations with a diverse range of guests with varying experiences and insights, Working to Work contributes to a broader progressive discourse on the nature of employment — and how it can be made more equitable. This project challenges traditional notions of how work should be done and what skills are considered valuable, with the purpose of creating a more accessible, sustainable, and strengths-affirming work-world for neurodivergent people."

I invite you all to watch this video, as I'm very proud of not only Sam and the work he is doing, but the very important and much needed conversations we had around employment for those who are disabled.

(Shared from Dani's blog page, The Punk Rock Autistic)

Dani ‘The Punk Rock Autistic’ on Creating Employment That Works for Them For episode 8 of Working to Work I spoke with Dani Noreen (aka the Punk Rock Autistic’) about their journey towards creating a work life that works for them,...

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