Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important opportunity to challenge misconceptions about neurological differences and appreciate the unique strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to the world. But beyond the wider movement, I believe it’s also a moment for personal reflection and self-celebration—because as neurodivergent people, it can be all too easy to focus on what we struggle with rather than what makes us exceptional.
The Challenge of Self-Acceptance
For many of us, the world isn’t designed with neurodivergence in mind. We’re often expected to fit into environments, routines, and social norms that don’t accommodate the way we think, feel, or process information. This can be exhausting. It can leave us feeling as though we’re not good enough, that we “should” be able to do things in a certain way, or that we’re failing when we struggle with tasks that seem easy for others.
Society frequently highlights what we lack rather than what we excel at. When we internalise this, we can become our own worst critics. I know I’ve been guilty of this myself—focusing on what I find difficult rather than recognising the strengths I bring to the table.
Focusing on Strengths, Not Just Challenges
But neurodiversity isn’t just about challenges—it’s about different ways of thinking, problem-solving, and engaging with the world. While I know there are things I find harder than others, I also know that I have strengths worth celebrating.
For example, I thrive when it comes to training and supporting people, helping them understand neurodiversity, and making meaningful changes. I can come up with creative solutions to problems, and I generate ideas and write content that I feel deeply passionate about. These are strengths that are part of who I am, not in spite of my neurodivergence, but because of it.
And I know I’m not alone. So many neurodivergent people have incredible abilities—whether it’s deep focus, creativity, pattern recognition, problem-solving, hyper-empathy, or unique ways of seeing the world. These strengths deserve recognition, both from society and from ourselves.
Celebrating Ourselves This Week (and Beyond)
So this Neurodiversity Celebration Week, I encourage you to take a step back and acknowledge your strengths. Instead of focusing on what you find difficult, think about what you bring to the world—your talents, passions, and the ways in which your neurodivergence makes you you.
💡 What are you good at?
💡 What unique strengths do you have because of your neurodivergence?
💡 How can you celebrate yourself this week?
It’s time to stop measuring ourselves by neurotypical standards and start valuing the things that make us unique. Because being neurodivergent isn’t just about the challenges—it’s about the extraordinary strengths that come with thinking differently.
Let’s celebrate that.