Neurodiversity is everywhere.
That's a biological fact.
Unfortunately, we're not doing a great job at nourishing a neurodiversity acceptance culture here in the southern Blue Ridge Mountain region.
(Western North Carolina, Asheville (NC), Greenville (SC) & surrounding areas).
Don't believe me? Ask a Neurodivergent neighbor of yours what they think.
Whether:
- you've never heard of "neurodiversity" or "neurodivergent" or "neurotypical" or
- you're a professional provider for neurodiverse individuals & families (or you want to become one) or
- you're a business, workplace, or school / learning community in the area or
- or you're a Neurodivergent neighbor yourself,
...you're in the right place for local connection on brain diversity and cultivating a culture of neurodivergent affirmation.
Blue Ridge Brains is here to spread awareness about neurodiversity affirmation, and to amplify the stories (voices) of our neurodivergent neighbors.
The original brain, Marie Masse, behind Blue Ridge Brains (BRB) has a wealth tap of ideas that her AuDHD brain tends to deliver...
...as AuDHD (Autistic ADHD) brains tend to do.
Here's the top focus plans to help execute the Blue Ridge Brains' mission:
(for now, until collaboration + ADHD leads us to even better ideas, as ADHD does!)
1. Listen
First, we/I will listen. Behind Blue Ridge Brains (so far) is one person with one, limited perspective. So, I'm meeting with anyone in our local(ish) area who wants to engage in conversation about neurodiversity.
I want to learn your story (your lived experience, professional work, etc.), your perspective, your needs, your passion in neurodiversity, and your goal(s).
Want to connect? Fill out the contact form.
2. Cultivate community
I hope to build or amplify existing neurodiversity-centric affinity groups in the area to take those 1:1 conversations to diverse, small group interactions—free and accessible for all southern Blue Ridge area neighbors.
3. Gain help, form a brand
As relationships grow, maybe Blue Ridge Brains (BRB) will gain volunteers to grow our mission and project goals in community and at a faster pace. Maybe, this will evolve into a paid agency or nonprofit. Who knows? Exciting to think about, isn't it?
In full transparency, for now, BRB is a personal project as a branch of my main business, Dangerously Good Stories.
4. Publish real stories
BRB will center and publish Neurodivergent lived-experience stories on social media, this website, and through conversation on a future Blue Ridge Brains podcast.
Everything you could want to know about submitting your story can be found right here.
P.S. Please share that page with any Neurodivergent neighbor you know. Let them know: their story matters.
5. Spread the good news of neurodiversity affirmation
People with neurological differences do not need to be cured. They need help and accommodation. I believe most people want to make those accommodations for neurodivergent people, but they simply aren't aware of the needs and aren't seeking to gain that awareness (likely because they're not personally affected by neurodivergence).
That's where Blue Ridge Brains comes in. I want to help fill that gap in our local area through content, publishing lived-experience stories, affinity groups, and direct outreach (see next point) that leads to small speaking and workshops to help our targets with actionable steps and implementation.
Bottom line:
Our area needs the broader public to stop making neurodivergent people painfully shape-shift into the status quo, and to start better accommodating for neurodiversity differences.
That's what a neurodiversity affirming world looks like in action.
If you're reading this and thinking "Ugh, more bullshit I have to deal with? People need to toughen up. None of this was around in my day." Neighbor friend, it's always been around. There's more history on this than you're aware of. Let's talk.
6. Targeted education
There are four areas BRB will target to promote neurodiversity education, acceptance, and affirmative practices:
- healthcare
- mental health
- education / learning spaces
- overall citizens within our local communities.
My dream would be to have an army of local neurodiversity educators / engaging speakers / workshop hosts.
We'll fiercely dedicate time to outreach, so that no one in our local area can say that they've never heard of neurodiversity affirmation.
This way, BRB and our local citizens can better hold businesses and professionals accountable. We might not eradicate ableism altogether, but locally, we will eradicate the ignorance of not knowing to examine unintentional ableism. Our efforts will illuminate the strengths and gifts in a neurodiverse-friendly community.
7. Know safe professionals
Through conversation and referrals, Blue Ridge Brains will have its own Neurodiversity Affirming Allies directory. Need a therapist? Need a school? Need a doctor? We'll keep tabs on who's neurodiversity afirming in the great southern Blue Ridge Mountain area, and who's not.
Definitely need your help in this one! Fill out the contact form with your experiences and recommendations (good and bad).
Pipeline dream: Build a whole damn Blue Ridge Brain accreditation process. Put our local businesses & professionals through the gauntlet to prove that they're neurodivergent friendly and affirming. Give 'em a seal of approval that we can trust, because it's vetted by US—the Neurodivergent folk—not people of the same boards and thinking who write garbage, like the DSM.
8. Host a specialy curated "newsletter" 💌 🎧📱📰
Like I said in point #5, I believe most people want to be more accommodating to the neurodiverse population. I think the "how" part and prioritization are what's paralyzing. So...
If you want to grow more neurodiversity affirming, but you're a crazy busy person, let me help. I'm running a monthly, easy-to-digest curation of neurodiversity insights (a newsletter, but better) to help you get there.
You'll know exactly when it's coming, so you can set an appointment with yourself to digest the content. You'll receive a checklist, plan, or reflective questions (depending on the theme), so you can implement right away.
Similarly, if you already love learning about all things neurodiversity related, you'll love this, as well!
Expect a mixed-media mixtape of the best, most interesting finds (podcast episodes, articles, research studies, social media posts, etc.) that I've spotted over the past month.
Each find will have a short summary or takeaway, so you get to go right to the point (what a time saver!), and only go further if you choose to.
I'll link to the full source(s) should you want to check it out in its entirety or to share it with your friends / colleagues.
Another example, I might notice a trend that month. An easy, well-known example: Autistics are saying not to use "functioning labels." So in the newsletter, I'll give you the insight on the trend worth being aware of, a little context/perspective, then link to several sources.
It's hard to stay up-to-date with current trends unless you're putting in the time to pay attention. That's what I'm doing for you. You receive a debriefed collection of what's stood out the most that month.
With this, you always have something insightful, actionable, and interesting to share with your friends.
This paid offer is what will fuel the Blue Ridge Brains project.
Subscribing is how you can support Blue Ridge Brains, and ultimately, the mission of championing neurodiversity affirming practices on a local(ish) level.
9. We're an ally, not an expert
🧠 Blue Ridge Brains is an ally in Neurodiversity. However, ally does not = expert.
Keeping this belief at the forefront of all actions within BRB is foundational for executing the BRB mission.
Your stories matter (the voices of our Neurodiverse neighbors)! I / we want to connect with you, learn from you, and grow with you.
So please, Neurodivergent neighbor, consider sharing one of your stories today.