The often overlooked part of neuroinclusion

We often talk about neurodivergence like it’s one shared experience but that’s far from the truth.

This week it’s World Day for Cultural Diversity (21st May), so it’s the perfect moment to pause and ask: how does culture shape how neurodivergence is seen, supported, and understood?

Neurodivergent people are shaped by more than their neurodivergence. We’re also shaped by our race, gender, language, upbringing, and more. And if your inclusion work doesn’t reflect that, it’s leaving people out.

Today I’m talking about:

• Info: How culture and identity influence neurodivergent experiences

• Tips: How to embed intersectionality into your inclusion efforts

• Recommendations: Voices and resources to help you learn from global and intersectional perspectives

🌍 Why culture changes everything

In some parts of the world, talking openly about neurodivergence is becoming more common. But this visibility often centres Western, white, and middle-class experiences. The result? Many neurodivergent people go unseen, are misunderstood, or unsupported.

Culture affects how behaviours are interpreted, how (and if) people are diagnosed, and how safe they feel to self-advocate.

Let’s look at a few examples:

• In some Asian cultures, there can be a strong pressure to conform and not ‘stand out’. This can make masking almost second nature, and add a second layer to it, but at a big cost to mental health.

• In Black communities across the UK, racial bias means autistic and ADHD traits are often misinterpreted as behavioural issues (more so than their white counterparts).

• In migrant families, language and trust in the system can be big barriers - leading to late or missed diagnoses and lack of access to reasonable adjustments.

Even within one country, the cultural landscape is hugely varied. Understanding this helps explain why so many people don’t fit the typical ‘mould’ of what ADHD, autism, or any other neurodivergent profile is “supposed” to look like.

That’s why intersectionality is so important, and why I’m excited to share that the next NeuroNavigator® cohort is our first ever international group. Whether you’re based in Birmingham, Barbados, or Bangkok, you’re welcome to join.

Intersectionality runs through the full programme, and is explicitly covered in one of the early modules. It’s not just a buzzword, it’s a guiding principle throughout.

If you want to learn with a community that recognises complexity and celebrates difference, join the waitlist here.

✅ Tips: How to embed intersectionality into your neuroinclusion work

• Question your defaults. Ask who your policies and support systems are designed for, and who they might be excluding.

• Invite different voices. Actively seek neurodivergent perspectives from people of different backgrounds, cultures, and identities.

• Check your examples. Use case studies that reflect a wide range of life experiences, not just those who fit the ‘usual’ narrative.

• Don’t separate intersectionality. It’s not a standalone topic. Weave it into every part of your inclusion strategy.

• Stay curious and keep learning. Intersectionality is an ongoing lens, not a one-time box to tick.

📚 Recommendations: Who to learn from

Want to hear directly from neurodivergent advocates who centre intersectionality? Here are five powerful voices to follow and learn from:

• Dr Samantha Hiew – Founder of ADHD Girls, sharing insight on gender, race, and late-diagnosed ADHD

• Atif Choudhury – Founder of Diversity & Ability and Zaytoun, Atif champions neurodivergence through a social justice lens (and we’re super lucky he’ll be featuring in the NeuroNavigator® programme this year!)

• Tumi Sotire – Otherwise known as the The Black Dyspraxic, Tumi explores race and dyspraxia in education and beyond

• Kaligirwa – Educator and researcher (Black Spectrum Scholar) spotlights Black autistic and ADHD experiences

• Marsha Martin – Founder of Black SEN Mamas, advocating for Black families navigating SEN and neurodivergence

Take some time this week to explore their work and let me know who else you like to follow by hitting reply.

💭 Closing Thought

There’s no single way to be neurodivergent. Culture, identity, and environment all shape how we experience the world, and how the world responds to us. The more we understand this, the more inclusive we can truly be.

🌍 Want to build a global and intersectional approach to neuroinclusion?
Join the NeuroNavigator® waitlist here to be part of our first ever international cohort.

Chat next week,
Jess

PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:

• Join the waitlist for our next NeuroNavigator® programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion. Doors open June 2025 for Sept start. Join the nearly 100 people already on our waitlist in order not to miss out!

• Want me to speak in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.

• Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.