Taking Pride in Neurodiversity

By Alex Utley, Ph.D., BCBA, LABA

[This column was published in the West Springfield Republican on June 19, 2025.]

Earlier this month, we celebrated Neurodiversity Pride Week, with the official Neurodivergent Pride Day falling on June 16th. This year marks the 8th annual celebration of honoring neurodivergent experiences.

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human thinking, learning, communicating, and behaving. These differences are an essential part of human diversity. While the term applies broadly to all types of neurological variation, it is often used in the context of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neurodiversity Pride aims to embrace these differences, recognizing them as valuable and valid aspects of human experience and diversity, rather than deficits or conditions needing a "cure."

Importance of Neurodivergent Pride 
Neurodiversity Pride is more than a celebration – it is a movement. It offers an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, highlight how ableism operates in our society, spotlight neurodivergent voices, and advocate for authentic inclusion in society, including communities, schools, and workplaces. Neurodiversity Pride encourages us to celebrate the diverse ways people think, learn, and experience the world and to honor the unique strengths and contributions of neurodivergent individuals.

Further, it embraces the transition from awareness to celebration. Instead of focusing on deficits or challenges, like many other awareness campaigns, it asks us to take pride in, celebrate, and embrace the lived experience and unique abilities of neurodivergent individuals. 

Celebrating and Supporting Neurodivergence 
Neurodivergent Pride means to celebrate neurodivergent individuals with authenticity. It serves as a reminder that neurodivergent individuals deserve to be recognized, included, and celebrated as they are. Some ways you may be able to celebrate Neurodivergent Pride may include: 

• Educate yourself and others: The ideal starting point for embracing and celebrating neurodivergent pride is to read books and scholarly articles, listen to podcasts, attend conferences or other events, watch documentaries, or have conversations with neurodivergent individuals about their lived experiences. Armed with a better understanding of neurodivergence, we will be able to share accurate information, challenge stereotypes, and help reframe harmful narratives around neurodivergence. 
• Promote and advocate for inclusion: Another method of supporting neurodivergence is engaging in advocacy efforts toward authentic inclusion. This means instead of asking how disabled individuals may fit into our society, we ask how society can be adapted and restructured to better meet the needs of disabled individuals. We can do this by making accommodations, modifications, and creating sensory-friendly spaces in public spaces, workplaces, and schools. We can become advocates by reaching out to local and state political leaders, supporting neurodivergent self-advocates, participating in public forums, and participating in relevant community, workplace, or school committees. 
• Practice allyship: One of the most significant ways to celebrate neurodivergent individuals is to become an ally. This may include amplifying neurodivergent voices like content creators, authors, and other artists, supporting neurodivergent advocacy groups, and recognizing and addressing ableism in your environments. Additionally, this includes honoring individuals’ language preferences. For example, many in the disability community may prefer identity-first language (e.g., autistic person versus person with autism). However, checking in with the person and honoring their preferences is always important. 

Neurodiversity is a natural aspect of human diversity that deserves to be honored and valued. As Morgan Scott Peck once said, we should “share our similarities, celebrate our differences.” Taking pride in neurodivergence is one step toward achieving a supportive and inclusive world. 

Alex Utley, Ph.D., BCBA, LABA, is a Clinic Director at May Institute’s Center for Children & Families in Randolph, Mass.

About May Institute
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis and evidence-based interventions, serving autistic individuals and individuals with other developmental disabilities, brain injury, neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs. Founded 70 years ago, we provide a wide range of exceptional educational and rehabilitative services across the lifespan. May Institute operates five schools for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.