Neurodivergence and Marginalised Gender - a thematic analysis of womens’ and gender-diverse peoples’ experiences of ASD and ADHD.

It is widely known that women are diagnosed with ADHD and ASD at much lower rates than men – however, this may not be due to actual differences in prevalence rates. One suggested way of tackling this issue, is by looking at neurodevelopmental disorders through a neurodiversity lens, rather than simply a bio-medical lens, and normalising self- identification and more collaborative, bottom-up approaches to creating clinical knowledge and diagnostic criteria. Neurodiversity is a fairly new and rapidly developing concept, and there are wide-ranging interpretations of what it exactly refers to. The aim of this research project was to conduct a thematic media analysis of mainstream online media content (blogs and news articles) created by or about people of marginalised genders (women andgender-diverse people) with ADHD and/or ASD and looking at their perspectives and experiences of neurodivergence. This project takes a Social Constructionist approach and is aligned with the values of Neurodiversity Paradigm and the Social Model of Disability. The findings of the project included the following themes: ‘Gendered Differences – Experiences of Neurodivergent Women and Gender-Diverse People’; ‘Education and Awareness’; ‘Intersectional Inequity’; and ‘Neurodivergent Identity’. There is significant value to this online media content: gives a sense of community, helps increase awareness and decrease stigma, gives lived experiences a platform. The implications of this research are that itbecomes clear the value of Walker’s (2021) Neurodiversity Paradigm and the value of the ‘neurodivergent’ self-identity label for many NDMG. Until DSM criteria of ADHD and ASD better reflect the experiences of ADHD and ASD women and gender-diverse people, and until society treats such people more equitably and kindly, it is unsurprising that these people are seeking out their own strengths-based identity.