Neurodiversity and Mental Health

By Annabelle Martin, our guest blogger and member of our Lived Experience Panel, Voices for a Brighter Future.

Neurodiversity: We all have different ways of saying it. Whether you’re Neurodivergent or call it Neurospicy (like me), it all means the same thing: We’re different, our brains are wired differently, and that’s okay. The term Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity in human brains. Neurodivergence is the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical” (or Neurotypical). (Royal College of Nursing, 2024)

Being Neurodivergent can feel like one day you’re fine, but the next, you’re going a million miles an hour and don’t know how to stop. It can feel like you’re climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, but in reality, you’re just trying to get up and ready for the day. Or it might feel like you can’t seem to do anything right, no matter how hard you try.

Luckily, more people are starting to take this seriously, and we are being represented in better ways. Here are a few representations that, in my opinion, showcase Neurodiversity really well:

Julia from Sesame Street: She made history on the show by being the first character to be diagnosed with autism. When she’s introduced to the other characters, she ignores Big Bird—not on purpose, but because she’s so focused on her drawing (Hyperfocusing). “Confused, Big Bird thinks, ‘maybe she didn’t like me.’ But the other characters tell him: ‘She does things just a little differently.’” (Sesame Street Welcomes Julia, a Muppet with Autism, 2017). Later, when the characters play tag, Julia gets so excited that she jumps up and down (Stimming). However, when a loud noise occurs out of nowhere, Julia stops playing and covers her ears. When I found out that this show I loved as a child decided to introduce an Autistic character, I felt so happy and seen. More children will now learn about autism and understand that they are still kids who want to play, have fun, and just be themselves.

Bluey: As a proud Bluey adult, I love this show! The characters are adorable, and the stories are simple for children to understand, yet they hold the power to help and heal adults too. One such character is Jack, a Jack Russell pup who has difficulty keeping still, remembering things, and struggles to complete tasks (all symptoms of ADHD). However, when Jack meets Rusty (a Red Kelpie), they play Army, as Rusty’s dad serves in the military. Rusty helps Jack get better at listening to instructions. (Bluey, Army, 2020). Like Sesame Street, Bluey is helping people all over the world see things from different perspectives, fostering understanding and empathy.

Woo Young Woo: One thing most people don’t know about me is that I’m a big fan of Korean pop music and Korean Dramas. Extraordinary Attorney Woo is an incredible drama about an attorney named Woo Young Woo, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), just like me. She’s given a chance to work as an attorney at one of Korea’s top law firms. With the help of her friends, her father (who raised her after her mother abandoned her), her team, and her amazing memory and intelligence, she becomes an outstanding attorney. Along the way, she falls in love with someone who helps her feel comfortable and loved just by being herself. (Extraordinary Attorney Woo, 2022)

These are just a few of my personal favorite representations of Neurodiversity, but they’re only the tip of the iceberg. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, I encourage you to do your own research on other characters to better understand your friends, loved ones, or even yourself. However, being Neurodiverse isn’t always sunshine and “I’m here to save the day!” We can also face challenges with our mental health. Up to half of autistic individuals will experience depression at some point in their lives, and up to half of people with ADHD will experience one or more anxiety disorders. We also commonly experience low self-worth, self-esteem issues, social isolation, and stress, to name a few. (Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), 2024)

I wanted to write this article in March because this week is actually Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and on Friday it’s Comic Relief, also known as Red Nose Day! Neurodiversity Celebration Week was created in 2018 to celebrate Neurodivergent people, rather than focusing on the negatives. The goal is to help people understand us better. As much as 20% of the world’s population is Neurodivergent. In addition to Red Nose Day, another charity close to my heart is Children In Need, which created the campaign Behind the Bandana to support children dealing with mental health struggles. (https://youtu.be/PMXyoxGzJQo)

Here are a few tips to help make Neurodivergent people feel included:

1. Never tease or make fun of someone for being different or finding something difficult.
2. Be kind, encouraging, and understanding.
3. Remember that you have the power to make a BIG difference to someone who might be having a tough time. (BBC Newsround, 2025)

Lastly, I have a tiny favor to ask. This Friday (March 21st) is Red Nose Day, which supports people worldwide and across the country. All I ask is that you take a moment to check out Comic Relief online (https://www.comicrelief.com). Don’t worry, I’m not asking for donations—just visit their site to see the amazing work they’ve done over the last 40 years and find ways you can help raise awareness and support others.