“Why Was I Left to Suffer?”— How Having Your Neurodivergence Overlooked in Childhood Impacts Your Adulthood
An increasing number of adults are discovering a diagnosis or diagnoses that finally makes sense of their life. But with this relief comes grief. Would their childhood have been different if their neurodivergence was recognised?
“Why don’t you get it? Are you even paying attention?!”
My little fingers were exhausted from the long process of tying laces, untying them, and tying them again. Everyone in my class could tie their laces except from me. I looked up at my mum, her face like thunder.
“You are not going into a special needs class. I’m not having that. Now watch properly this time!”
It was clear there was something not quite right with my physical development. I couldn’t master tasks that required coordination. I understood the instructions, but that understanding never translated to my movements. It’s like my body just couldn’t do it. To this day whenever I hear the phrase “it’s like riding a bike” in reference to never forgetting…
