There are many types of support that can be given to neurodivergent people like for example:
- Someone to talk/rant to
- Helping with house chores (even just doing small chores makes a big difference)
- Someone to encourage them to get out of the house for even a trip to the shops
- Someone to understand their daily struggles
- Someone just to message on WhatsApp or messenger can do a lot of help.
These are just a small handful of what a difference you can make when you offer a helping hand. If you don’t know how you can help, please ask them.
If you can’t help them yourself, try finding a local charity who can. Talking to other neurodivergent people can be a huge difference (taking from my own experience). Having a local support group makes a big difference. Having a reason to leave the house other than shopping hopefully will improve their mental health. There are many different types of support groups for example: online (Facebook groups, Forums), in person, walking groups.
There isn’t much help for neurodivergent adults once they turn 16, they are likely to remove all support and you are on your own. They have to fight for support and that shouldn’t need to be done. There is some support in education but very little in helping them get a job and going further in life. We didn’t decide to be born neurodiverse so we shouldn’t need to fight for what we want to achieve in life and for their future.
Once a neurodivergent person becomes a parent, they have to fight for themselves and for the children. This can be very mentally and physically draining. If they can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel it can seem never ending. Having someone beside them to hold their hand can do so much.
Watching Vlogs on YouTube can also be a great help. Knowing that they are not alone and someone least “gets it”. Seeing how others solve their problems helps them to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may just take a bit longer than expected.
This is written from my own experiences and from people who have known throughout my life. If you can be there for a neurodivergent person please help even if it’s just meeting for a coffee or a shopping trip.
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