Neuroqueer Explained: How Neurodivergence & 2SLGBTQIA+ Identities Intersect

Kaitlyn Boudreault
Apr 26, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Oct 18

We live in a society that is geared to the needs of specific populations. We live in a heteronormative and neuronormative society.

This means that heterosexual relationships and neurotypical ways of being are considered the cultural norm. Anything that differs from these cultural norms is often looked down upon by society.

Society is gradually becoming more accepting of ways of being that fall outside of this norm, but for those who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities, several difficulties exist with being neuroqueer.

An neuroqueer (neurodivergent and LGBTQ+) individual holding an LGBTQ+ flag.

Bigotry still exists, and those who identify as neuroqueer are more likely to be bullied or ridiculed for who they are. Neuroqueer individuals are also more likely to experience high levels of mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety.

Are you a neurodivergent individual exploring your identity within the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum? Or perhaps a mental health professional seeking to create a more affirming practice?

In this guide, we unpack the neuroqueer intersection of neurodivergence and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity, explore neurodiversity-affirming therapy and coaching, and share practical steps for clinicians who want to build neuroqueer-affirming practices.

What Is Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergent was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu in 2000 to describe individuals whose brains diverge in function. Examples of neurodivergence include:

ADHD
Dyspraxia
Epilepsy
Autism
Tourette’s
Depression
Anxiety
Dyslexia
And More

There are also some neurotypes, such as AuDHD, that are a combination of neurodivergences. In this case, autism and ADHD.

Core Challenges neurodivergent people report

It is important to note that neurodivergence exists on a spectrum. No two neurodivergent brains are alike, even if they have the same neurodivergent identity. It is this diversity in the way we all think, feel, and behave that makes the world stronger.

This diversity also occurs in the challenges that neurodivergent individuals face. Some of the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals include:

Breaking Down the 2SLGBTQIA+ Acronym

Despite the gradual awareness of 2SLGBTQIA+-related terms in society, there is still a widespread lack of knowledge about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. At the basic level, 2SLGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term that can be further broken down into:

2S or 2-Spirited: Non-binary identities recognized in Indigenous communities
Lesbian (L): Women who are attracted to other women
Gay (G): Men who are attracted to other men
Bisexual (B): Attraction to both men and women
Transgender (T): Gender identity differs from assigned sex at birth
Queer (Q): Umbrella term for diverse sexual orientations and gender identities outside cis/heteronormative labels
Questioning (Q): Exploring or questioning sexual orientation or gender identity
Intersex (I): Chromosomes/anatomy don’t fit male/female markers
Asexual (A): a person who feels little or no sexual desire for others.
+ or plus: The infinite varieties of gender and sexuality that don't fit into 2SLGBTQIA

What Does Neuroqueer Mean?

Neuroqueer was coined by Dr. Nick Walker back in 2008 and refers to people who diverge from both neuronormative and heteronormative standards. It describes the intersection of neurodivergent and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, embracing both as natural human diversity.

Research Insight: autistic people are three times as likely to identify as trans and eight times more likely to identify as asexual (Weir et al., 2021, University of Cambridge). This highlights the strong intersection between neurodivergence and non-cis/heteronormative identities.

But the understanding of why there is such a connection between neurodivergence and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is not yet fully understood.

One theory suggests that neurodivergent individuals tend not to follow societal norms.

Neurodivergent individuals may be more likely to break these societal norms when it comes to their sexual and/or gender identity.

Common Therapy Topics for 2SLGBTQIA+ Clients

2SLGBTQIA+ individuals often come into therapy with the same challenges as others.

They search for a "therapist near me," like everyone else does, to learn boundaries, explore self-discovery, and seek support for depression, academic challenges, the loss of a loved one, workplace challenges, or relationship issues.

However, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals also bring challenges specific to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community into therapy. This could include:

Bullying and bigotry for sexual and/or gender identity
Dealing with non-accepting loved ones
Being outed without consent
Systemic oppression
Lack of acceptance
Trying to counteract societal shame and blame cycles
Trauma related to 2SLGBTQIA+ hate
Biases they have experienced from friends, past therapists, or friends
Religious trauma related to 2SLGBTQIA+ hate

There are societal expectations of heteronormativity. Those outside of this norm may need therapy or coaching to work towards acceptance of their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity.

What Is Neuroqueer-Affirming Therapy & Coaching?

Simply put, a neuroqueer-affirming coach, or affirming mental health professional:

Understands and is aware that you cannot change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or neurotype in therapy.
Works to encourage the development of a positive identity. One where you accept yourself for who you are and work to find supports that affirm your identity.
Views gender diversity, diversity in sexual orientation, and neurodiversity as strengths in society.
Provides a safe space to explore 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent-specific issues, such as systemic barriers and discrimination.
Acknowledge the shame and internalized biases that 2SLGBTQIA+ may face.
Understand the real impact oppression has on these communities and that the issue is society and its view of what is "normal."
Counteracts heteronormative and neuronormative views and embraces and affirms everyone’s identity as unique and beautiful.

12 Ways to Run a Neuroqueer-Affirming Practice

If you are a mental health professional in Canada wanting to make your practice more neuroqueer-affirming, here are some suggestions:

Ask for pronouns and neurodivergence status on intake forms and assessments.
Understand how heteronormativity and neuronormativity can cause hate and internalized biases.
Provide sensory-friendly environments (dim lighting, noise control, fidget tools)
Never give a client’s identity to a parent or anyone else without consent.
Recognize and educate yourself on the way the media demonizes 2SLGBTIA+ and neurodivergent individuals.
Allow flexible session timing or breaks to manage executive functioning or sensory needs
Encourage identity exploration without judgment
Address internalized stigma and societal norms impacting clients
Include intersectional frameworks addressing racism, ableism, sexism, etc.
Focus on acceptance of identity and not changing who the person is.
Understand your own biases about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. All mental health professionals have these, whether you are a member of the community or not.
Consult with other 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent-affirming clinics.

Neuroqueer Business Owners

Another way in which you could be a neuroqueer-affirming mental health professional or individual in society is to seek out the work of neuroqueer business owners.

Listening to and supporting the voices of a 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneur or a neurodivergent entrepreneur will widen your experience of the world and counteract your views on cultural norms and biases you may have.

So, with this said, here are five neuroqueer business owners in Canada and around the world.

These business owners in Canada and around the world identify as both neurodivergent business owners and 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners.

Lived Experience Educator

Lived Experience Educator Founder Sonny Jane is a trans, multi-neurodivergent, and disabled public speaker, advocate, and author. Sonny Jane of Lived Experience Educator has gone on to build an audience of over 100,000 people online and has written The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills and We’re All Neurodiverse.

The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills teaches DBT skills by a neurodivergent business owner for ADHDers, autistics, and other neurodivergent individuals. We're All Neurodiverse unpacks neurodiversity and seeks to advocate against the concept of a "normal" brain.

Neurodivergent Rebel

The founder of Neurodivergent Rebel Lyric is a trans-nonbinary, autistic, self-advocate who runs the internationally recognized NeuroDivergent Rebel blog. Lyric of Neurodivergent Rebel is also the owner of NeuroDivergent Consulting and the author of the best-selling business ethics book, Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising.

Supporting Neurodiversity

Terra of Supporting Neurodiversity is an ADHD coach in Toronto, an AuDHD coach, and a neurodivergent consultant. Supporting Neurodiversity in Toronto works to expand clients' understanding of ADHD and neurodiversity while helping develop empowering strategies, environments, and relationships.

Calyssa Erb

Calyssa Erb is a queer, autistic Canadian writer of books for young readers. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario. "Maya Plays the Part " is her first novel.

Blue Sky Learning

Dana Daniels (she/her), M.Ed., OCT, is the founder and CEO of Blue Sky Learning™, who identifies as queer and neurodivergent or a neuroqueer business owner. Her lived experience, local teaching roles, international leadership, and extensive experience supporting disabled folks were all foundational moments embedded into the development of this initiative for accessibility. Blue Sky Learning is rainbow-registered with Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) as a safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Blue Sky Learning’s Supportive Resource for Adults Who Identify as Neurodivergent and 2SLGBTIA+ or Neuroqueer

The Rainbow Reading Room is a free virtual book club for members (18+) of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community hosted through Discord.

Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning

Are you a neurodivergent individual and/or member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community seeking a neurodivergent-affirming and 2SLGBTQIA+-affirming clinic in Canada or neurodivergent coaching in Canada, the United States, or the UK?

You've come to the right place!

Book a free 20-minute consultation with one of the Blue Sky Learning team members by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca or going through the link below.

Book a Free Consultation