This informal CPD article ‘Understanding Empathy through the lens of Neurodiversity’, was provided by Uzma Akser Coaching and Consulting (UACC), who offer coaching and training services to organizations and communities, as well as life skills training and coaching for individuals with disabilities.
Understanding Empathy through the lens of Neurodiversity
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes, recognizing their emotions, and responding with care and compassion. It allows us to connect with others on an emotional level.
Imagine yourself in a public setting, and the sound of a baby's cries fills the room. You
immediately experience concern and worry and would like to rush and calm the baby only to
then tell yourself you are not in a position to. This is an innate response we have as human
beings in which we experience the pain and vulnerability of others.
But what happens when that crying baby is your own? Interestingly, the dynamics change. As parents, we become attuned to our baby's cries, and recognise the difference between hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or simply a need for attention. We respond differently not because we care any less, it's just we understand our own baby's cues. This shows we are familiar with our baby’s different emotions and comprehend when and how to provide them the right support or comfort they may need.
This analogy holds a valuable lesson when it comes to understanding neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity encompasses the vast range of neurological differences among individuals,
including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia/dyspraxia, OCD and more. Just as each
baby has unique cries, neurodiverse individuals have unique ways of processing information and interacting with the world.
Imagine if we can approach neurodiversity with the same level of empathy and understanding as we do with a crying baby. Initially, there might be a sense of unfamiliarity or feeling of uneasiness but the more we learn, recognise and understand the signs or certain behaviours of neurodivergent individuals, we will become more patient, compassionate and empathetic when they display certain traits or work in a different way which at times sadly are not approved by the societal norms.
Similar to how we learn to interpret our own baby's cries, embracing neurodiversity not only
involves developing deeper awareness of individual differences and needs but also
understanding and embracing them too. In a nutshell It's about recognizing that neurodiverse
individuals may communicate, socialize, learn, express their emotions and experience the world in ways that are distinct from the neurotypical population.
Just as we respond with empathy to meet the needs of our own baby, so too can we adapt our approaches to support neurodiverse individuals effectively. This may involve providing alternative communication methods, adapting the environment, offering sensory accommodations, or implementing the use of assistive technologies. It is about meeting people where they are at and appreciating the diverse world we live in.
If we move towards understanding empathy through the lens of neurodiversity we will move
towards creating inclusive communities, educational settings and workplaces.
In conclusion, if we work on our empathy skills, understand and accept what neurodiversity truly is, we will build a society based on love, compassion and understanding. Just as we respond to a crying baby with concern, in the same way we can extend the level of empathy towards neurodivergent individuals. Finally, let's take time out to actively listen rather than hastily respond. Let us learn and appreciate the richness of diversity in human beings.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Uzma Akser Coaching and Consulting (UACC), please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
