326 - Neurodivergence, Trauma & the Problem With Normal with Kory Andreas
“I think sometimes labels are necessary to get people to a place where they at least know what they're looking at, and I hope we get to a place where it's really not that important.” ~ Kory Andreas
An autism specialist and a skeptical therapist debate diagnosis, accommodations, masking, burnout, and who gets to define a “normal” brain.
I love a debate; they make for great podcast episodes. While their official goal is to generate effective critical thinking, that skill is often missing from the “debates” favored by social media algorithms, especially when the topic strikes a chord of cultural conflict like educational curricula, gender identity, and neurodivergence.
It’s neurodivergence that gets the legit debate treatment in my conversation with new friend and fellow documentary film fiend Kory Andreas, LCSW-C. But rather than the standard “affirmative/negative” approach, our debate digs into the information (and misinformation) that surrounds diagnosis of and accommodations for folks on the spectrum, plus broader societal acceptance of neurodivergence.
Things to consider:
Are we recognizing neurodivergence—or TikTokifying it?
Autistic burnout, trauma, and ordinary burnout can look remarkably similar—but they aren't necessarily the same thing.
Maybe the bigger problem isn't the neurodivergent brain but the systems demanding conformity.
“I have mixed feelings about the TikTok stuff, too,” says Kory, echoing my concerns with the rampant TikTokification of neurodivergence. In addition to navigating her own autism alongside the challenges of her neurodivergent teenager, Kory works with neurodivergent clientele, providing therapy, assessments, and advocacy on behalf of individuals and families.
Scroll through a few social posts on neurodivergence, and it’s easy to begin wondering if you have ADHD, especially if you’re a woman. Women are more inclined to self-diagnose because the medical community has ignored our well-being since Hippocrates. ”It's not lost on me how many people in my office are pounding caffeine all day but won’t go to a doctor to get Concerta (an ADHD medication) because they feel bad about the medication that they need to take because women should just suck it up and shut up,” observes Kory.
While I’m totally down with Kory’s assessment, it does make me wonder if all of us aren’t a little bit neurodivergent, forced into conforming for patriarchy, capitalism, and survival. Or, is it possible that there’s a subset of people whose symptoms are due to complex childhood trauma?
Sure, anything’s possible, “I'm not looking for DSM criteria,” explains Kory, who prefers a more nuanced evaluation. “Whether it's neurodivergence or not, I have this roadmap to see where the struggles and strengths are. That gives me a really good idea of what we're doing in therapy.”
Maybe a label provides clinicians (and social media users) with an entry point for supporting neurodivergence in our communities.
GUEST CONTACT & BIO
Kory Andreas, LCSW-C, is a clinical social worker and autism specialist with over 20 years of experience providing therapy, assessments, and advocacy for neurodivergent adults and families. As a late-diagnosed autistic adult, Kory utilizes a trauma-informed and identity-affirming approach to support those navigating high-masking autism and neurodiverse relationships. Additionally, she is the founder of Unmasking Retreats and a frequent speaker on the intersection of neurodivergence, identity, and sexuality.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
NARM: The NeuroAffective Relational Model
The Curious Case Of Natalia Grace
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
219 – Alyse Ruriani – Navigating ADHD TikTok in Support of Neurodivergent Practitioners and ClientsJoin the waitlist for the next Authentic Leaders Group!
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