Neurodiversity Celebration Week

April 2025

You may have noticed mention of Neurodiversity Celebration Week last month. Neurodiversity is a word used to explain the unique way people's brains work. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

It is estimated approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Bipolar and Tourettes (among others). These people are often referred to as neurodivergent. Many challenges neurodivergent people face are more to do with the environment and systems they are placed in, which are often designed by a majority (neurotypical) population.

Did you know, Rachel was diagnosed with ADHD last year after decades of trying to understand her brain? So celebrating and accommodating neurodiversity is something we do every day at Armstrong Creek Pet Minding!

If you Google ‘ADHD traits’ you will find a list that looks like this:

• Struggle to focus

• Struggle to complete tasks

• Struggle with organisation

It’s all struggle, struggle and more struggle. It’s enough to make anyone feel hopeless.

ADHD has its challenges for sure, but there are loads of POSITIVES, too:

•  Resilience

•  Creativity

•  Excellent problem solving skills

•  Hyper focus

•  Calm in a crisis (Some of the most stressful jobs are staffed by those with ADHD)

•  Conversational skills

•  Spontaneity

•  Entrepreneurial

•  Empathetic and intuitive

•  Thinks outside the box

•  Being able to derive patterns where others see chaos

•  Courage

•  Ability to find unique solutions to difficult problems

•  Able to talk about different topics at one time

•  High energy

•  Willingness to take risks

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!