31. Gender diversity & neurodiversity: Understanding the intersection

Neurodivergent young people are more likely to question their gender identity, and it can be a confusing and confronting time. Not just for the individual, but also for their loved ones.

The support and validation of families is vital, but many feel unprepared; struggling to even navigate things like the role of pronouns.

This episode gives some insight into the unique way a number of autistic and ADHD young people experience identity - including gender identity. Through deeply personal stories and expert insight, we look at how families can best support young people as they navigate this complex space, and how they can reframe it as a natural period of exploration.

At the heart of this conversation is mental health. The statistics for those at this intersection are confronting, but responsibility for better outcomes extends beyond immediate families; it rests with society as a whole.

Greater awareness of lived experience can help reduce stigma - and with it, much of the suffering. As can recognising the immense courage it takes to live authentically, especially when that identity sits outside societal norms.

In this episode:

• Adolescence: a time of identity formation for all young people.
• The mental health risks and what can significantly reduce them
• The role of interoception in identity
• The reality for parents: Uncertainty, and the fear of ‘getting it wrong’.
• The impact of stigma, and what it feels like to navigate the world as non-binary or trans and neurodivergent
• Practical advice for parents: how to support without rushing or shutting things down
• Why authenticity isn’t a choice

No Such Thing as Normal is made with support from NZ On Air

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