*BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color)
Conversations about neurodivergence are finally gaining ground, but too often, they leave Black, Brown, and Indigenous voices out. Differences like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, sensory sensitivities, and other challenges don’t always show up the same way across cultures. And when they do, they’re frequently misread through biased systems. Instead of support, neurodivergent BIPOC are often met with discipline. Instead of compassion, correction. Many grow up masking who they are just to be safe, never fully seen in the spaces that claim to be inclusive. When neurodivergent BIPOC are excluded from research, mental health models, educational supports, and workplace accommodations, the impact is deep and lasting.
The emotional cost is real: exhaustion, anxiety, and sometimes loneliness. And yet, these communities continue to carry brilliance, complexity, and resilience. What’s needed now isn’t more labels or louder buzzwords. What’s needed is real listening, cultural understanding, and care that leads to action. Neurodivergent BIPOC aren’t asking to be fixed; they are asking to be recognized, supported, and celebrated. Not someday, but now. Thankfully, there are numerous therapists, clinicians, influencers, and everyday people who are using their platforms to teach and create community for other neurodivergent people.
What Needs To Shift
● Representation matters: We need BIPOC voices in every layer of advocacy, education, and clinical care.
● Culturally informed approaches: Diagnosis and support must be rooted in cultural understanding, not just clinical criteria.
● Community-centered care: Healing can happen in trusted spaces: peer groups, spiritual practices, and family settings, not just therapy rooms.
● Equitable policy and access: Schools, clinics, and workplaces must adapt to the realities of neurodivergent BIPOC, not just idealized versions of care.
Resources
Autism in Black https://www.autisminblack.org/
Black Neurodiverse https://www.instagram.com/blackneurodiverse
NeuroClastic is an autistic-led nonprofit that offers writing, advocacy, and resources, many of which are informed by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ perspectives. Website: https://www.neuroclastic.com
Therapy for Black Girls is a mental health resource for Black women and girls, including a therapist directory and podcast. Website: https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com
Therapy for Black Men is a therapist directory and resource listing specifically created for Black men seeking mental wellness support. Website: https://www.therapyforblackmen.org
Asian Mental Health Collective is a platform working to destigmatize mental health care in Asian communities, offering resources and therapist directories. Website: https://www.asianmhc.org
Indigenous Circle of Wellness provides culturally rooted therapy and wellness services to Indigenous individuals and communities. Website: https://www.indigenouscircleofwellness.com
Monielle McAllister, BA, MFT Graduate Student Intern, is active in the neurodiverse community and is part of a neurodiverse family.
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