I have read that AuDHD article and have been thinking about it a lot.
I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 12. (I wasn't medicated for it, but I suppose it's a different topic.) It seemed to explain a lot of things about me, particularly my unusual hyperfixations and how I somehow manage to do well at school despite cramming a lot of my projects.
But I remember when I moved to a different, much bigger high school, and was pretty much bullied by the entire school population. (I mean, juniors were pointing me to the girl's room when I asked for the boy's room. There were no labels.) In particular, they called me "autistic", and I didn't actually understand why. I suppose I never felt any different from them, apart from coming from a different town and being completely out of my depth.
And then I got kicked out after three months for hitting a classmate—first offense!—and got the ADHD diagnosis when I moved schools.
As far as I know, I'm not on the spectrum. I probably would've been diagnosed with that the first time, although the thinking then that the two are mutually exclusive probably didn't help things. But I'm not one overwhelmed by stimuli (although a few situations do) and I can relate pretty well with my peers and colleagues. But then I remember watching Atypical on Netflix with my ex, and her telling me—straight out—that I am neurodivergent. It was one of her (many) (flimsy) reasons for breaking up with me. She just wanted a new guy; she had to drag my entire being into it.
It's great that perceptions are changing, but I am afraid greater awareness of these mental conditions—think of how ADHD has been "manic pixie"-ized on TikTok—is also contributing to certain "weird" people, whatever standard that is judged by, being ostracized. The definition of "normal enough" is getting narrower the more we start to define these things, rather than getting wider because everyone's just slightly off the center line, or something.
I have read that AuDHD article and have been thinking about it a lot.
I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 12. (I wasn't medicated for it, but I suppose it's a different topic.) It seemed to explain a lot of things about me, particularly my unusual hyperfixations and how I somehow manage to do well at school despite cramming a lot of my projects.
But I remember when I moved to a different, much bigger high school, and was pretty much bullied by the entire school population. (I mean, juniors were pointing me to the girl's room when I asked for the boy's room. There were no labels.) In particular, they called me "autistic", and I didn't actually understand why. I suppose I never felt any different from them, apart from coming from a different town and being completely out of my depth.
And then I got kicked out after three months for hitting a classmate—first offense!—and got the ADHD diagnosis when I moved schools.
As far as I know, I'm not on the spectrum. I probably would've been diagnosed with that the first time, although the thinking then that the two are mutually exclusive probably didn't help things. But I'm not one overwhelmed by stimuli (although a few situations do) and I can relate pretty well with my peers and colleagues. But then I remember watching Atypical on Netflix with my ex, and her telling me—straight out—that I am neurodivergent. It was one of her (many) (flimsy) reasons for breaking up with me. She just wanted a new guy; she had to drag my entire being into it.
It's great that perceptions are changing, but I am afraid greater awareness of these mental conditions—think of how ADHD has been "manic pixie"-ized on TikTok—is also contributing to certain "weird" people, whatever standard that is judged by, being ostracized. The definition of "normal enough" is getting narrower the more we start to define these things, rather than getting wider because everyone's just slightly off the center line, or something.
Thank you so much for the vajeanas comments, I needed that so desperately!
+1 on Furikake, though in a pinch crumpled kim and toasted sesame seeds will work.
Is there a way to follow your Bookshop page? I am a regular Bookshop customer but couldn't find a way to follow your page.