Being Neurodiverse
During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we aimed to provide a platform for our patients to express their stories and perspectives on Neurodiversity. We held short interviews with three patients at HMP Ranby, where they shared their individual viewpoints and experiences.
To protect their identities, all patients' names have been omitted.
Patient Mr A - Autistic
Question: When did you first find out you were Neurodiverse, and how did it affect you?
I found out in November 2022. The psychology team wanted me to get assessed. People had said to me before 'you know you are autistic, don't you?', and a person used to point things out to me and say, 'that's because you are autistic'. I didn't think I was autistic, but I did know something wasn't right. I knew I was poorly adjusted when other people weren't, but I didn't know why what was."
When I found out I was autistic, it made sense of things, but I also didn't expect anything to change. To me, it was just another piece of paper.
Question: What would you like about being Neurodiverse?
People are amazed that I can recite facts about different things that they are talking about. People ask me how I know all these things, and I say its because I remember them.
Question: If you could change one thing about your care to help with your Neurodiversity, what would that be?
I'd like to remove the judgement people have of me. It's like people don't look at the things I do and think about the reason why I do them. If you removed the judgement and tried to understand me, then it could really help.
Patient Mr B - Dyslexic
Question: When did you first find out you were Neurodiverse, and how did it affect you?
It was when I was at college at the age of 16 that I found out I was Nerodiverse. They picked up on it there but never picked up on it at school. At school I just cracked on, but it makes you think you just aren't a bright kid. Finding out I was Neurodiverse helped me understand things and make me feel like I'm not dumb. Back when I was at college, this was a while ago though, there wasn't much support.
Question: What would you like people to know about you, and your Neurodiversity?
To not pass judgement on me because of it. If you take your time with people, it can help them. A lot of people won't ask for help because they don't even know they need it.
Question: What do you like about being Neurodiverse?
I feel like it makes me work harder and that it drives me to achieve more. I have learned that being Neurodiverse doesn't stop you, it makes you want to do more.
Question: If you could change one thing about your care to help with your Neurodiversity, what would that be?
To try and understand our needs. I would like it if people tried to find out what support we need. I feel like sometimes I'm told what help I need when a simple conversation would let me tell people what works for me.
Patient Mr C - ADHD
Question: When did you first find out you were Neurodiverse, and how did it affect you?
I found out 6 or 7 years ago that I have ADHD. I had no idea before what ADHD was, where I'm from they don't know about ADHD. When I first found out I wasn't sure what to think because I didn't know what it was. I went to see a nurse about something completely different and they saw the signs in me. I had tried loads of different medications and none had helped me. As soon as they put me on medication for ADHD I've never had to use anything else.
Question: What would you like people to know about you, and your Neurodiversity?
That sometimes when someone like me is struggling, it's because of my ADHD and it's not because I'm in a bad mood or that I have a problem with you. It feels like people don't understand that.
Question: What do you like about being Neurodiverse?
I know that I am different from other people which I like. I think my ADHD makes me more outgoing and more social.
Question: If you could change one thing about your care to help with your Neurodiversity, what would that be?
I would like there to be more support to help people like me. Some people get things like distraction packs to help them, but we don't. I have lots of energy so something to help that would be good. It would also help to have some wellbeing groups where people like me can talk about what is going on for them, without feeling like people won't understand their point of view.
