Calgary Keynote Resources

Update October 3rd, 2024

If you have any questions, please email me at drtcwaisman@gmail.com and I will answer it and post it here anonymously so others may learn as well.

Please note that a PDF copy of the slides can be found at the bottom of the page.

Questions from participants

1. Q: What did you mean when you stated that neurodivergents shouldn’t be depended upon to do the ‘invisible labour’ of training everyone around them at the workplace but you also stated that we require neurodivergent training?

A: If you hire a neurodivergent person, they should not be expected to teach fellow employees and managers about neurodivergence and how to work effectively with neurodivergents. It is critical however, to bring in meaningful professional training about neurodivergence designed by neurodivergents. The training should be research-based and inclusive of intersectional perspectives.

2. Q: My company is interested in neurodiversity but we’re not currently committed to making any changes. What can I do to move the conversation into action?

A: Start where you are. It’s wonderful that your company is showing interest in neurodiversity. Sometimes it can seem daunting to move into action but you can start by taking small yet meaningful steps that can become part of building good design. For example: having a formal conversation in the workplace about neurodivergence is a good place to start. Introduce some of the concepts and research you learned at our breakfast meeting and ask gauge the interest of your team. If there is capacity and interest, hiring a neurodivergent trainer to educate your team is a great next step.

3. Q: Would you have wanted to be diagnosed at an early age?

A: This is a tough question. My mum had me tested for giftedness in the 70s and my doctor stated that I might also have Asperger’s (as the low-needs-form of autism was known at the time). My mum decided not to have me tested for Asperger’s because she didn’t want me to experience more prejudice than I was already experiencing as a Black, Indigenous Pasifika, South Asian/Asian girl. She wanted to protect me the best way she knew how…and…I lived a whole life internalizing my social and communication challenges and saw myself as broken. This led to mental health challenges.

I don’t know how different my life might have been with an early diagnosis. I may have been able to access resources and I may have understood myself more. I may have found community amongst other Autistics as well. What I do know is that I am grateful to my mum for doing what she thought was best. I now spend my life trying to create a world where folks like me don’t have to protect their children by taking away the option of an early diagnosis.

****