“Neurodiversity,” says Ruby, is basically a term explaining the unique ways people’s brains work. And Ruby knows. In this episode, she’s “taking down the mask” to talk about her own unique brain!
Although neurodiversity is a much more common topic than in days past, it’s still pretty misunderstood. And when you pair it with fertility challenges, well, finding research or even conversations becomes really challenging.
But few are as tenacious as these two when it comes to sharing important information. They found a licensed psychologist who works in fertility and who is looking to make fertility clinics more neurodiverse-friendly. In this conversation with Dr. Kristen Chambliss, Ruby, Anne, and Dr. Chambliss tackle many of the misconceptions rooted in our culture when it comes to a diversity of neurotypes.
It’s a critical conversation. After all, as Dr. Chambliss says, neurodiversity may be as crucial to the human race as biodiversity. Or, as Anne put it so well: “Variety is not a disability.” Neurodivergence is not the same as intellectual disability or mental illness. And the more we understand, the less we’ll have to fear. There are many strengths that come with being neurodivergent, though sadly, most of what we hear about are the struggles.
Fertility can be a particular problem for the neurodivergent individual. Fertility treatment can be especially difficult for individuals who find sensory experiences problematic, for example. Recognizing the many challenges humans as a whole struggle with means more folks get the kind of help they need, offered in the way they need it. And that’s just plain good.
Dr. Kristen Chambliss is a licensed psychologist specializing in treating individuals coping with infertility, in vitro fertilization, relationship concerns, and anxiety. She currently practices in Friendswood, Texas. Not only is she an infertility specialist but she is also actively working with our professional organization, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine on a proposal to make clinics more neurodiverse friendly.
Website for the Bloom (1998) article from The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1998/09/neurodiversity/305909/
Damian E.M. Milton (2012) On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’, Disability & Society, 27:6, 883-887, DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008
Sasson NJ, Faso DJ, Nugent J, Lovell S, Kennedy DP, Grossman RB. Neurotypical Peers are Less Willing to Interact with Those with Autism based on Thin Slice Judgments. Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 1;7:40700. doi: 10.1038/srep40700. PMID: 28145411; PMCID: PMC5286449.
Saxena P. Assisted reproductive technology and its Association with autism in children. Fertil Sci Res 2021;8:20-4
Singer, J. (1998). Odd People In: The Birth of Community Amongst People on the Autistic Spectrum: A personal exploration of a New Social Movement based on Neurological Diversity. Sydney: Faculty of Humanities and Social Science University of Technology, Sydney.
Youtube clip for Chloe Hayden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP84_OHOCzM
From Autistic Doctors International:
Williams, G. L., Adams, J., Bull, P., Cave, H., Chown, N., Doherty, M., Forrest, K., Foster, R., Fricker, R., Godfree, B., Keaveney-Sheath, K., Knight, J., Marrable, T., Murray, R., Shaw, S. C. K., Ventour-Griffiths, T., Wood, J. (2022) More than words: Supporting effective communication with autistic people in health care settings. Economic and Social Research Council. Available at:https://www.boingboing.org.uk/more_than_words/
