"EWWWW! Look how big he is!"
The words echoed across the playground as my classmates hovered around a cricket like it was a miniature dinosaur.
"Actually," I chimed in with a proud, entomologically enlightened grin, "He is a she. That third tail? It's called an ovipositor. Crickets are one of the easier insects to sex."
Silence. And then—poof! Faster than you can spell-check macroinvertebrate, I was standing alone. Once again, I found myself completely bewildered as to why, with all my vast entomological knowledge, I wasn’t the most popular girl in seventh grade. Seriously, why weren’t they lining up for bug facts? I had some really good ones! 🦗✨
Middle school was tough, y’all. Dang hard. Apparently, knowing the reproductive organs of crickets wasn’t the social currency I thought it was. Who knew? (Well, now you know. You’re welcome.) It wasn’t until my thirties that I finally found my people. You know the ones—those rare unicorns who get your quirks, celebrate your passions, and don’t run away when you explain insect anatomy unprompted. 🦄🌈
My village now? It’s a beautiful, chaotic, neurospicy blend of the most fascinating, compassionate, hilarious, and loving people you’ll ever meet. But let me be the first to admit—I’m not always the easiest person to get along with. I can be awkward. Like, really awkward.
So, with that in mind, and in the spirit of embracing our neurodiverse tribe, here’s a list of ways you can be a great ally to your neurospicy friends and family. And trust me, in return, we’ll add just the right amount of spice, creativity, and loyalty that your village needs! 🌶️🧡
Important note: You've probably heard it before: If you know one autistic person (or anyone, for that matter), you know ONE person. Everyone’s unique, so take these tips with a grain of salt (or sprinkle of glitter, or dash of fidget toys). 🎨💡
🌟 10 Ways to Be a Neurodivergent Ally! 🌟
Want to support your neurodivergent friends but not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered—with a little humor! 😂 Being an ally doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can definitely be fun. Check out these 10 funny and effective ways to show your neurospicy friends some love and support. 🧠✨
- Master the Art of Literal Communication
If your neurospicy friend says they “need space,” don't freak out—just scoot over and give them the couch. 🛋️ - Embrace the Fidget
Is your friend tapping, spinning, or playing with something? Don’t judge, join in! You’d be surprised how therapeutic a fidget spinner can be. 🌀 - Accept the Hyperfocus
When your neurodivergent buddy gets deep into a topic, buckle up! Whether it's two hours of LEGO facts or why penguins are secretly superheroes, just smile and nod—you're learning something new! 🐧💡 - Don't Take it Personally
If they cancel plans, it's probably because socializing drained them. But hey, it’s not you—it’s the brain battery that needed recharging! 🔋 - Get on Their Schedule
Know that “on time” can mean exactly on time or, you know, 30 minutes late because time isn’t real. Be flexible, like a fidget toy! ⏰🤸♀️ - Adjust to Their Senses
If loud noises or bright lights bother them, help create a calming environment. Bonus: dim lights and quiet sounds are basically a spa day for your brain too. 🧘♂️🌙 - Celebrate Their Passions
Is your neurodivergent friend obsessed with collecting rocks or learning everything about outer space? Get in there with them! You never know when that knowledge might come in handy during a trivia game. 🚀🪨 - Say What You Mean
Don’t say “maybe” when you mean “no.” Be clear. Neurospicy folks are pros at picking up mixed signals—and probably inventing whole conspiracy theories from them. Just be direct. 🕵️♂️ - Respect the Stims
Rocking, tapping, spinning in circles—these are all great ways neurodivergent folks regulate their bodies. Resist the urge to ask, “What are you doing?” Instead, maybe join in with a little twirl of your own! 🌀💃 - Give Them Their Quirky Crown
Let your neurodivergent friends be their gloriously unique selves! Their quirks, superpowers, and way of thinking are what make them awesome. Life would be so boring if we were all the same. 👑💖
Being a neurodivergent ally means embracing the awesomeness of different brains, and let’s be real, the world would be way less interesting without them. So, get out there, support your neurospicy friends, and show them some love—superpower style! 🌈
#NeurodivergentAlly #NeurospicyLove #CelebrateTheQuirks #EmbraceTheFidgets #LiteralSuperpowers #AllyLife #SupportAndSpin
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Disclaimer: While the ideas and the bulk of the brilliance are all mine, I confess that I enlisted the help of ChatGPT to polish things up. Why? Because AI is the friendliest grammarian I know—no red pen, no judgment, just pure, unadulterated love for a well-placed comma. So if you find any rogue semicolons or unnaturally perfect phrasing, you can thank my digital editor for that.
