From Camouflage to Celebration: Rethinking Neurodivergence

Neurodiversity is a Garden, Not a Puzzle to Be Solved

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week—a time to honor the many ways minds work and challenge outdated narratives that frame neurodivergence as something to be “fixed.” Too often, society treats differences as defects, trying to mold neurodivergent people into a narrow version of what is considered “normal.” But what if we changed the narrative? What if, instead of seeing neurodivergence as an obstacle, we recognized it as something beautiful, vital, and worthy of celebration?

This idea is at the heart of my artwork, “Neurobloom,” a piece that merges science and nature, logic and creativity. On one side, a vibrant, rainbow-colored cerebral cortex symbolizes the complexity and brilliance of neurodivergent minds. On the other, a cascade of colorful flowers represents growth, diversity, and the organic beauty of different ways of thinking. Together, they tell a story: neurodiversity is not something to be controlled or corrected. It is something to be nurtured, celebrated, and allowed to flourish.

The Power of Perspective

For too long, the world has viewed neurodivergence through a lens of deficiency. Traditional therapies, like Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), have sought to erase autistic traits rather than support neurodivergent individuals in ways that honor their needs. Schools and workplaces are designed for neurotypical minds, often failing to accommodate different learning styles, sensory experiences, and communication methods.

But nature thrives on diversity. A healthy garden is not made up of identical plants; it flourishes with a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. The same is true of humanity. But when we let go of the idea that there is only one “right” way to be, we make space for something much more vibrant.

The Harm of Masking

One of the most profound challenges neurodivergent individuals face is masking—the practice of suppressing natural behaviors, adapting speech, expressions, or actions to appear more neurotypical. Masking is often done for safety, social acceptance, or avoiding stigma, but it comes at a cost.

• Impacts: Increased anxiety, depression, burnout, dissociation, and a loss of self-identity.

• Why It’s Harmful: While masking may make social interactions easier short-term, it reinforces harmful expectations and prevents neurodivergent individuals from receiving necessary support.

• Unmasking Matters: True inclusion means creating environments where people don’t feel pressure to hide who they are. Neurodivergent individuals deserve acceptance, not assimilation.

Embracing Neurodiversity in Everyday Life

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is about more than just awareness, it’s about action, about fostering environments where neurodivergent people are not only accepted but empowered. Here are some ways we can create lasting change:

• Listen to Neurodivergent Voices – Seek out neurodivergent creators, educators, and advocates. Learn from their lived experiences rather than relying on outdated stereotypes.
• Challenge Ableist Thinking – When conversations focus on “fixing” rather than supporting neurodivergent individuals, push back. Advocate for accommodations, inclusion, and accessibility in your communities.
• Celebrate Different Strengths – Every mind brings something valuable. Whether it’s deep focus, creativity, unique problem-solving, or emotional intelligence, neurodivergent individuals contribute in ways that enrich us all.
• Make Space for Growth – A garden doesn’t thrive under strict control—it flourishes when given the right conditions. The same goes for neurodivergent individuals. True inclusion means more than just acceptance, it means actively cultivating spaces where everyone can thrive.

A World in Full Bloom

Neurodivergent minds are not broken; they are vibrant, full of depth, and necessary to the world. When we stop trying to fit every brain into the same rigid framework and instead honor the brilliance of difference, we unlock a world of innovation, creativity, and human connection.

Recognition is not enough. True celebration of neurodiversity means action. It means challenging ableism, advocating for accessibility, and amplifying neurodivergent voices. It means moving past outdated ideas of “normal” and embracing the infinite ways in which human minds work.

As we celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week, let’s remember: the world doesn’t need fewer neurodivergent minds, it needs more spaces where they can thrive. Neurodiversity is a strength. Let’s create a world that sees it that way.

"Neurobloom" is available for purchase as a sticker, art print, greeting card and tote bag.

Resources & Continued Learning

Embracing neurodiversity means continuously learning, unlearning, and advocating for change. Here are some resources to deepen your understanding and support neurodivergent voices:

📌 Organizations & Advocacy Groups

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) – autisticadvocacy.org
  A nonprofit run by and for autistic people, ASAN advocates for disability rights, self-determination, and policies that prioritize neurodivergent voices.
  

• Neurodiversity Celebration Week – neurodiversityweek.com
  A global initiative challenging stereotypes about neurodivergent individuals, promoting inclusion in schools and workplaces.
  

• Neurodivergent Insights – neurodivergentinsights.com
  Provides research-based resources, infographics, and courses on neurodiversity, mental health, and accessibility.
  

• Neurodivergent Rebel – neurodivergentrebel.com
  A personal advocacy platform that shares lived experiences, challenges misconceptions, and promotes neurodivergent acceptance.
  

• Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) – awnnetwork.org
  Focuses on supporting autistic women, nonbinary people, and gender-diverse individuals through education and advocacy.
  

• NeuroClastic – neuroclastic.com
  A collective of neurodivergent writers sharing personal stories, research, and critical perspectives on autism and neurodiversity.

📰 Articles & Research

• “The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Psychiatry” – This article discusses the shift from viewing neurodivergence as a disorder to understanding it as a natural variation of human cognition.
  Psychiatric Times

• “Camouflaging in Autism: A Systematic Review” – This systematic review examines the phenomenon of camouflaging (or masking) in autistic individuals, highlighting its potential impact on mental health.
  ScienceDirect

• “Understanding the Reasons, Contexts, and Costs of Camouflaging in Autism” – This study explores the motivations behind masking in autistic individuals and its potential detrimental effects on mental health.
  PMC

• “What is Neurodiversity?” – An overview of the neurodiversity concept, emphasizing that differences in thinking, learning, and behavior are natural variations and not deficits.
  Harvard Health

• “Autistic Masking in Relation to Mental Health, Interpersonal Trauma, and Camouflaging” – This study investigates the association between masking behaviors in autistic individuals and increased rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout.
  Liebertpub.com

👥 Neurodivergent Creators, Educators & Businesses to Follow

Creators & Advocates

• Devon Price, Ph.D. | @drdevonprice
  A social psychologist, author, and autistic advocate who writes about neurodivergence, masking, and disability justice.

• Yo Samdy Sam | @yo.samdy.sam
  A neurodivergent content creator making videos and posts on autistic experiences, masking, and unmasking.
  

• ADHD Alien | @adhd_alien
  An artist and advocate who creates comics explaining ADHD in a relatable and engaging way.
  

• AuDHD Flourishing | @audhdflourishing
  A neurodivergent coach and educator providing support for autistic and ADHD individuals navigating life and self-acceptance.
  

• Jules Edwards | @julesedwardswrites
  An autistic and disabled writer focusing on intersectionality, disability justice, and self-advocacy.

Educators & Consultants

• The Neurodivergent Teacher | @theneurodivergentteacher
  A neurodivergent educator and advocate who provides insights into inclusive teaching practices and neurodiversity in education.
  

• PDA Parenting | @pda_parenting
  A resource hub focused on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and supporting PDA individuals in education and daily life.
  

• Reframing Autism | @reframingautism
  An organization run by autistic people, for autistic people, dedicated to reshaping narratives around autism through education.
  

• Dr. Nick Walker | neuroqueer.com
  A neurodivergent scholar and author of Neuroqueer Heresies, discussing neurodiversity through a critical and intersectional lens.

Neurodivergent-Owned Businesses

• Stim Toy Box | @stimtoybox
  A shop run by neurodivergent creators, offering stim toys, fidget tools, and sensory-friendly accessories.

• Fidgets & Fries | @fidgetsandfries
  A neurodivergent-run brand that blends humor, advocacy, and resources for autistic and ADHD individuals.

• The Crafty Queer | @the_crafty_queer
  Queer and neurodivergent-run business creating affirming art

• A. Hope Wear | @ahopewear
  A neurodivergent and disabled-owned clothing brand featuring affirming designs around accessibility, inclusion, and self-expression.

• Chronically Spicy | @chronicallyspicy
  A business selling neurodivergent-affirming stickers, art, and apparel.

📖 References & Citations

• Harvard Health. (n.d.). What is Neurodiversity? Retrieved from Harvard Health.
• Psychiatric Times. (n.d.). The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Psychiatry. Retrieved from Psychiatric Times.
• ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Camouflaging in Autism: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from ScienceDirect.