Neurodivergence refers to natural variations in cognitive and neurological processing that differ from what is considered neurotypical. Neurodivergent individuals experience the world in unique ways, shaping how they think, learn, communicate, and interact with their environment. Some have significant support needs in areas like communication, mobility, or self-care, while others have exceptional abilities in memory, pattern recognition, or creativity. Many experience both, with fluctuating challenges and strengths that are not always visible or easily understood.

For decades, neurodivergent individuals have been pressured to mask, suppress, and conform rather than being accepted as they are. Instead of teaching society to meet us where we are, the focus has been on forcing us to appear more neurotypical, regardless of the harm it causes. This expectation has led to burnout, trauma, and a loss of identity, creativity, and self-expression. Neurodivergence is not a linear scale from "mild" to "severe," and outdated labels like "high-functioning" fail to capture the complex and individualized nature of neurodivergent experiences.

There is also a widespread misconception that if someone is gifted in one area, they must be independent in all areas. Likewise, those who need support with activities of daily living (ADLs), like dressing or hygiene, are often assumed to need the same level of assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as financial management or planning. These assumptions erase the reality of spiky skill sets and diverse support needs, leaving many neurodivergent people misunderstood and underserved.

At Neurodivergent Friends™, we reject the expectation that neurodivergent individuals must adapt to neurotypical norms at the expense of their well-being. Instead of requiring us to fit into a world that was not designed for us, we build spaces that embrace us as we are. We prioritize symbols that reflect growth, intersectionality, and neurodivergent identity, using the rainbow butterfly for ADHD, the rainbow infinity symbol for Autism, and their combination for AuDHD. These symbols recognize both the challenges and strengths that come with being neurodivergent, as well as the dynamic and sometimes conflicting nature of our experiences.

Neurodivergence is not always tied to a diagnosis, nor should it have to be. Many recognize through lived experience that they process the world differently. At Neurodivergent Friends™, a diagnosis is not required. Here, you belong™.