Thoughts on Neuro-Diverse Careers

It used to be that we made a BIG DISTINCTION between MANAGERS and EXPERTS --

• and we often considered that ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT as ---- oh anybody can do that --- that's women's work.
  • This is one woman who is TERRIBLE at ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

I think one of the things that has happened with GLOBALIZATION and HYPER-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENTS is that --- we're all wearing more HATS --- whether we are well-suited for them or not.

I have an unusual experience with chronic disorganization --- I fell far from the tree.  I had 2 Parents who were good to great to amazing organizers and that really allowed me to shine ----they weren't doing my homework for me --- but they were maintaining not a perfect environment --- but a pretty darn good one.

I think there are those kids with ADHD that were told they were idiots and that skewed their perception of reality ---

• I think there is another group that was told they were "gifted" ("giftedness" is now often recognized as part of neuro-diversity) ---
  • and they also have a skewed perception of reality.

For many of us born long before the current understandings regarding Neuro-Developmental Differences & Disorders and their relationship to Psychiatric Disorders ---

• this has been a difficult journey and some people didn't survive it.

 
One of the things most modern adults need to survive is a JOB or their own business.

Lex Morningstar talks among other things about being a woman with "ADHD" who is not the best organizer and a society that is expecting she should be.

I wouldn't necessarily say that there is something "inherently wrong" with the person --- BUT I would say there is something "inherently different" ---- that is often about among other things --- sensory processing.

Lex also mentions "unfinished projects" --- I'm going to push back on that a little bit. 

Leonardo da Vinci had a lot of unfinished projects and what he recognized was ----

• He couldn't do everything
• And his projects got re-prioritized as his knowledge changed.
  

Cont. from Column 1

Because of the Sensory Processing Differences --- I would say that Neuro-Diverse People can make great EXPERTS (there are NO PERFECT EXPERTS) ---

• they often are just by nature taking in MORE INFORMATION.

They also make as Lex said great Entrepreneurs --- when they can channel their own insights into their own vision.

Science & Art ---- both generally place a high value on "TRUTH" and "CREATIVITY."

Religion/Spirituality --- I would maintain that many of the world's great spiritual leaders for better or worse were Neuro-Diverse.

• Meditation and Prayer I think are useful for anyone --- especially the sensory overloaded and overwhelmed
• The flip side of that is --- no matter how much information you're taking in --- you're not going to know it all in this lifetime
  • Uncertainty is scary and anxiety producing especially for those with ramped up STRESS RESPONSES. 

Teaching/Coaching ----  Can be the EXPERT in which it all came easily --- Can also be the person who struggled, ultimately mastered the subject in question and has a better understanding of the PITFALLS.

Entrepreneurship, Art, Science, Religion/Spirituality and Teaching & Coaching can be great outlets ---we do have to be careful about ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS.

Here is what I think will become one of the ironies of empowering people who are Neuro-Diverse ---We will likely also be empowering those people who are good at ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. (or at least we SHOULD)