An increasing number of people are turning to social media platforms for insights into their neurodiverse conditions.
With the hashtag #adhd amassing over 26.2 billion views on TikTok alone, indicating the prevalence of discussions and content related to this topic.
Finding positive aspects of this is easy …
Being able to access information online has made leaps and bounds in the past twenty years so younger people who are ND, can find people who have the same issues and see how they have dealt with them. Feedback has been that it has made people feel less alone. Couple this with the positive changes and advancements in SEN schools such as Enemy of Boredom and others around the country, the proof and hope that an understanding of what is needed is out there.
On another extraordinary level, social media platforms have played a significant role in younger individuals becoming more aware of the symptoms and issues and seeking and obtaining diagnoses.
The key to a positive experience?
If you’re searching on Tik Tok for deeper advice as opposed to the funny skits on symptoms, it’s essential to do a wider search on the person you’re following. Come out of Tik Tok and search their name, credentials and background to make sure they are who they say they are. Always double check advice with your carer and or doctor before altering your systems of scaffolding.
Wondering where to start?
Dyslexia – search for Connard Wolfe – over 5m followers – he’ll resonate and make you laugh
@connordewolfe Which one are you?📦 #fyp #comedy #dyslexia #visualthinker
ADHD – time issues in seconds.
@adhd_love Ok… did we just solve the 5 minute problem?! 🤣 #adhd #adhdcouple #spicybraincommunity #adhdawareness #adhdcomedy #neurodivergent #adhdlove
Autism – search for ‘autism compilations’ and take it from there. There’s sure to be a few users within hashtags that resonate with you. Let us know who you find.
Tik Tok is also inspiring a lot of people aged 45 and above to go and get a diagnosis to try and make sense of the way that they are. This signifies that a significant portion of the older age group is seeking diagnosis later in life, either due to not receiving proper diagnoses earlier or facing challenges in obtaining diagnoses amid the growing demand among younger individuals.
Neurodiversity is an ever evolving landscape, particularly on social media platforms, and we really hope that these platforms have a positive impact.
This increased visibility is definitely helping breaking down boundaries and ending the silence and stigma surrounding neurodiverse conditions.
Well done Tik Tok, well done.
What are your thoughts on this Mavericks? Have you looked or shared any of your own experiences?
