January 22nd, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

TikTok’s Return: A Government Plot or a False Hope? The Oligarchy’s War on Free Speech - TikTok, Trump, and What’s Really Going On

Is TikTok’s Return Just a Distraction? From TikTok Ban to Censorship: The Rise of Digital Authoritarianism in America & How the US Government’s War on TikTok is Just the Beginning

Just days into Trump’s second presidency, and it has already been one heck of a week (and it’s only Wednesday).

I wrote about the TikTok ban and other current events on Monday morning. However, this story is constantly evolving. Monday’s update can be found HERE.

To recap, we’ve been through (a lot) this week:

Saturday Night: TikTok voluntarily shut down early, even though the Biden…

January 20th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

The Fear That Keeps Me Up at Night: Inauguration Day, the TikTok Ban, and the Future of America Under President Trump

Since the election results were announced over the past few weeks, I’ve felt an impending sense of dread, worried over all the “promises" 47 has made to do great harm to many people I care about (and people like me).

I have many feelings this inauguration day.

As I start this piece, we’re about an hour and a half away from the infamous President Number 47 swearing-in. By the time I finish and publish, The Orange will be on the American throne, taking his place as Ruler of the Oligarchy.

A collection of moldy oranges.

I didn’t sleep well last night.

Since the election results were announced over the past…

January 15th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

Learning I was NeuroDivergent at 29: Do I wish I could have found out sooner? No! And here’s why….

Learning I was NeuroDivergent at 29: Do I wish I could have found out sooner? No! And here’s why….

Once I finally received my Autism diagnosis, I had many mixed feelings.

On one hand, the Autism diagnosis brought a sense of relief, validating many of my lived experiences. It was a moment of profound understanding and acknowledgment. Yet, simultaneously, I was angry at the thought of nearly thirty years spent in the dark regarding my own mind. I was also in mourning over the pain that could…

January 13th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

Looking at NeuroDivergent Masking Differently: The Choice to Camouflage One’s NeuroDivergence… or Not.

Learning Masking could have been more helpful (and less harmful) in my life if it had been optional or if I had been taught to look at Masking differently…

My earliest days of advocacy were fueled by the realization that the unreasonable, impossible Neuro-Normative expectations had broken me, leaving me physically and mentally ill, pondering ways to exit the game of life early.

Back then, because of the harm I’d experienced, much of my focus was against the forced assimilation of NeuroDivergent People through compliance, grooming, and coercive…

January 9th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

NeuroDiversity as a Tool for Unlocking Compassion (for the Self and Others)

For most of my life, I lived under the false assumption that we all had very similar skills and ways of perceiving and engaging with the world. This assumption, heavily influenced by societal norms and expectations, led me to believe that the main thing t

Discovering the truth about my mind and the concept of NeuroDiversity was a transformative journey that empowered me in countless ways. The most significant impact was the newfound clarity that came with this awareness, shaping my compassion for myself and others.

Before I found myself deeply engrossed in the world of NeuroDiversity, my understanding of myself (and others) was limited.

The…

January 7th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

NeuroDiversity, the Medical Model, the Social Model, & Is NeuroDivergence a Disability?

Some NeuroDivergent characteristics are not inherently disabling, so some NeuroDivergent People may not see themselves through the lens of disability. However, some NeuroDivergent People, especially those whose differences cannot be helped by changing

A core teaching of The NeuroDiversity Model is:

There is no single “normal” or “correct” way of thinking or being human, and human brain and neurological diversity are a natural part of human diversity and evolution, which should be nurtured and respected. This model advocates for acceptance, inclusivity, and accommodation of NeuroDivergent People in society (especially in public spaces,…

January 6th, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

1 hour Zoom One to One “Ask Me Anything” Session are BACK!!!

1 hour Zoom One to One “Ask Me Anything” Session are BACK!!!
5 more spaces available for the month of January! Let’s have a casual, one to one, conversation! There’s a lot we can talk about in an hour and this is your time.

As of today my January Fundraiser is now open (limited to the first 5 people who book via the link below).

Book your session here!

January’s Fundraiser & Update About Previous Fundraisers

Earlier this month we got some of our RV repairs done (thanks to those who have participated in my “Ask Me Anything Fundraiser” so far-I can’t thank you enough).

While this was a huge victory, we are still…

January 3rd, 2025
neurodivergentrebel

Do NeuroTypical People REALLY Exist?

I firmly believe that the term ‘NeuroTypical’ does not represent humanity’s default state but rather a median or average that our society has been structured to accommodate (at the expense of those of us who are outliers).

One key concept of the NeuroDiversity paradigm is the recognition of the diverse ways in which individuals experience and interact with the world around them. NeuroDiversity also claims that no singular ‘correct way’ of engaging with the world exists, and “no normal brain” exists, which poses the question, “If no normal brain exists”… “do NeuroTypical People exist?”

I firmly believe that the…

December 26th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

What NeuroDivergent People Need to Be Successful in the World

Because there are many ways a person’s brain and nervous system can diverge from average, what each NeuroDivergent Person needs to succeed can often vary greatly, depending on the individual you ask.

Because there are many ways a person’s brain and nervous system can diverge from average, what each NeuroDivergent Person needs to succeed can often vary greatly, depending on the individual you ask.

For example, while some NeuroDivergent People may prefer to receive information and instructions in writing or communicate via email, others may need to listen to information or share it orally…

December 24th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

Inclusion, NOT Segregation, Through Universal Design

When we make the world more inclusive through Universal Design, it does not only benefit a minority of the population but all of us.

Although I found out about my NeuroDivergence when I was 29, I didn’t suddenly “become” NeuroDivergent (or Autistic) when my Autism was diagnosed in the fall of 2016.

Because Autism is one of many lifelong forms of NeuroDivergence, I was born Autistic, and I will die Autistic (despite not having the language of Autism, NeuroDivergence, or NeuroDiversity to describe myself for the first part of…

December 18th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

NeuroDivergent Employment is Just ONE Problem We Need to Correct to Make a More Neuro-Inclusive World

The workplace problem (struggling to find suitable equitable employment that pays a living wage) is one of the most significant obstacles many NeuroDivergent adults face.

Too many of us are stuck in workplaces that burn us out…

Last month I shared the first preview of my new book on NeuroDiversity in the wider world (title coming soon).

This is a continuation of the series previewing that book (which I hope to get out in the next year or two). I plan to continue to share this book with my subscribers here on Substack as I am writing it.

As it stands I am 45 pages and 16,829 words into my first draft (which I aim to be…

December 11th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

What is Neuro-Inclusion?

Neuro-Inclusion, the practice of creating inclusive and safe spaces for people of all brain types, is a powerful concept. It signifies that everyone is valued and included in our society regardless of their neurological makeup.

Neuro-Inclusion and Neuro-Equity are not just concepts but foundations of a fair and just society. They represent a collective hope for a world where people of all NeuroTypes are treated equitably and respectfully.

Neuro-Inclusion, the practice of creating inclusive and safe spaces for people of all brain types, is a powerful concept. It signifies that everyone is valued and included in our…


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December 10th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

A World Designed to Cater to “the NeuroTypical Average”

Many NeuroDivergent People live in a world where the environment is perpetually neglecting our needs, which adds increased daily stress to our lives. This is further complicated by the fact that the people around us are often inflexible and impatient.

One significant obstacle holding back the advancement of NeuroDivergent People in society is the fact that our world has been designed to cater to the NeuroTypical Average (members of the Neuro-Majority).

In catering to those in the Neuro-Majority, our society has neglected those in the Neuro-Minority. This is particularly true for those of us with multiple overlapping NeuroTypes (or brain…

December 6th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

Other People’s Assumptions, Biases, & Stigma Leading to the Othering and Dehumanization of Neuro-Minorities

Other People’s Assumptions, Biases, & Stigma Leading to the Othering and Dehumanization of Neuro-Minorities

I tried to “tell an adult” about my bullies. However, my teacher was no help. Apparently, (according to my teacher) if I wanted the other kids to leave me alone, I should simply “act normal” (something I didn’t know how to do).

Of all the obstacles I’ve faced in the world, the biases, attitudes, and assumptions of others have hindered my progress and held me back the most. This has been true for me both before and after my NeuroDivergent awakening.

Throughout my life, there have been frequent assumptions about what I couldn’t do and could do, and I have been punished, mocked, shunned, and scolded when I fell short of…


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December 5th, 2024
neurodivergentrebel

NeuroDivergent Burnout the Silent Killer

Neurodivergent Burnout (not a medical term, but, unfortunately, a common experience among NeuroDivergent People) is a state of intense physical and mental exhaustion NeuroDivergent People may experience (usually lasting for three months or more).

Last month I shared the first preview of my new book on NeuroDiversity in the wider world (title coming soon). Today I am sharing another excerpt from the first draft of that same book.

I would like to thank my subscribers and supporters for making this blog, and this book (which I hope to get out in the next year or two) possible.

When I lost my ability to camouflage my NeuroDivergent traits,…

Rebelling against a culture that values assimilation over individuality.