Voting and Neurodivergence: Challenges and Opportunities
Welcome to Living with an Invisible Learning Challenge, where we will discuss and discover the challenges and triumphs of those living with NLD, nonverbal learning disability, and other learning challenges such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and any other invisible learning differences that one may live, May one may live with and I like to interview individuals as well Who live with various learning challenges?
So if you know anybody, please Point me their way or if you are that individual I would love to interview you on Various topics, so please let me know and I welcome you to this podcast. Happy Friday, and I want to remind you to vote for this upcoming election. I think it's very important to vote, especially for neurodivergence because of it being, with Kamala Harris and with Tim Walsh and Tim Walsh having a son who, has NVLD and also with, all the different, , things that are, you know, coming up in this election, I think is going to be more important than it, has been in the past. And,with that being said, I'm actually going to do an episode on. Neurodivergence and voting. And, yeah, that's what we'll be talking about today. So voting and neurodivergence challenges and opportunities. Neurodivergent individuals often face unique challenges when voting due to factors related to their sensory processing, executive functioning, and social interactions. The difficulties that arise for neurodivergent individuals are not just logistical. Also deeply tied to the accessibility of the voting process itself. For instance, sensory overload is common, and is a common challenge for people with autism or ADHD, especially in crowded polling stations where noise and lawn weights can make the experience overwhelming.
Furthermore, executive functioning. Difficulties can make it hard for individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, or related conditions to navigate the complexities of voter registration, understanding voting procedures, and adhering to deadlines. Anxiety and social interactions Also play a role as neurodivergent individuals may find it challenging to engage in conversations or ask For assistance at polling places which can add to their stress during their During the voting process, despite these challenges, voting remains crucial for neurodivergent individuals. Representation in government is vital to ensure that their voices and experiences are included in policy making, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and disability rights. Voting also provides an opportunity for neurodivergent people to advocate for policies that promote. Inclusivity, accessibility, and the creation of supportive social systems.
Accommodations such as early voting, mail in ballots, and accessible polling stations can significantly help reduce these barriers, empowering neurodivergent individuals to participate fully in the Democratic process, the Gus Walsh effect, and neurodivergence in public discourse. So, before I go on to this part, , for me, whenever I vote, I always do a lot of research on what I'm voting on. I read through that process. Handbook that they give you for the props and I asked my friends what they voted on so I could kind of understand their point of view Even if I'm not gonna vote the way they did I asked because I want to understand different perspectives and different viewpoints and I also asked my parents because I Basically, I think in similar ways that they do when it comes to politics, and they better understand politics than I do, so I ask a bunch of questions so that I can understand what I'm voting on better. And that helps me come to a better conclusion. decision. So the Gus Walsh effect and neurodivergence in public discourse. The rise of Gus Walsh, son of Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh, has brought significant attention to neurodivergence, especially after his heartwarming moment at the Democratic National Convention in 2024.
Gus, who has nonverbal learning disability, drew attention to neurodivergence Neurodiversity on a national stage his joyful shout out to his father sparked discussions about neurodivergent conditions such as autism ADHD and anxiety disorders and Their place in public consciousness his moment In the spotlight now, known as the Gus Walsh Effect, has had lasting impacts. The Minnesota Autism Center, which works with neurodivergent children and teenagers to build social , job skills, has reported a significant increase in requests for assessments following Gus' appearance. This increased awareness has led to great conversations and neurodivergence within the community and across the nation.
Business owners in particular are being encouraged to consider hiring neurodivergent employees as they bring unique strengths and perspectives to the workplace. This shift in perception is crucial for breaking down barriers that have long marginalized neurodivergent individuals. As highlighted by Jen Diedrich of the Minnesota Autism Center, Gus is right public display has helped to bring a community that has been hidden for so long into the light. I think that's a very good point because, it's basically saying that, you know, even though Gus has NBLD, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder, they are pretty much invisible to some extent. They are real and he brought them into light by what he, his reaction to his father , at that rally.
And, he, whether he realizes or not, I think he's doing a very positive thing and is making it be, who do I want to say Making it be easier for, Neurodivergence to get, to get the awareness and to be seen and to be heard that they need and to be able to get the attention that they deserve. I mean, so that they can be diagnosed and that they can, you know, Get assistance not only in school, but in other areas like work and personal life. Nonverbal learning Disorder and VLD understanding the condition.
One of the conditions brought into life through Gus's work Gus Wallace's journey is NVLD, a lesser known, but impactful condition. Despite its name, NVLD doesn't mean individuals cannot speak. Instead, NVLD is characterized by a gap between verbal abilities and non verbal kinds of learning, particularly those involving visual spatial processing.
This discrepancy can lead to challenges with tasks that require spatial awareness. Such as reading maps, telling time on analog clocks or balancing budgets. As a result, individuals with NBLD may face difficulties with motor skills, making task like writing using silverware, or tying shoelaces harder than for The condition also affects higher order thinking and problem solving, particularly in later stages of schooling, when learning shifts from rote memorization to more complex tasks like identifying patterns and applying concepts.
These Difficulties can result in challenges with reading comprehension and advanced mathematics and VLD often overlaps with other conditions like ADHD and anxiety. And it shares some traits with autism spectrum disorder, particularly in the realm of social interactions. People with NVLD may struggle with recognizing verbal cues such as facial expressions or body language, and may ask frequent questions to compensate for these difficulties.
This can make it challenging to form relationships or, or navigate social situations leading to isolation or social awkwardness. So that one is just basically giving you a more definition of NVLD, which is good because, there's no really one agreed upon definition of NVLD. That's why it's not in the DSM. And, I wanted to provide an explanation of it, so, it gives you a very good explanation of it, actually. And, it also gives you an explanation of companies that are trying to bring more neurodivergence On as employees, which I think is a very good thing to do. And being able to do that will, I think, will just enrich your company more because then you're giving other individuals an opportunity to work with you and to bring things to the team into the table that neurotypicals may not bring.
The importance of policy and support for neurodivergent students rose in awareness. NVLD and other neurodivergent conditions have brought attention to the need for better education, educational support for students with learning disabilities. When the central areas, sorry, one of the central issues is the lack of full federal funding for SPS, special education, the individuals with disabilities education at IDEA, was passed. In 1975, committing the federal government to cover 40 percent of the cost of special education services. However, in practice, only about 13 percent of these costs are covered, leaving state and local school districts to make up the difference. Governor Tim Walz has been a strong advocate for education funding, particularly for special education.
In the 2024 Two year budget for Minnesota losses approve a 6 percent increase in per pupil funding and index future increases to inflation. The budget also included a significant boost in state support for special education, helping to bridge the gap in federal funding. Advocates across the country have long pushed for full funding of IDEA, emphasizing.That the law is not only about educational support, but also a federal, fundamental civil rights issue, ensuring that students with disabilities have access to public education. Thus, the ongoing push for more equitable funding is critical, especially as the number of students with disabilities continues to grow and Their needs become more complex.
I'm so glad that they're doing that. And I wish I had had that when I was in school. The potential for change under a Harris Walsh administration, the issue of special education funding has been. Become part of the national conversation, especially with in the democratic party, the platform adopted at the 2024 democratic national convention calls for fully funding IDEA, prioritizing students with disabilities and supporting the special educator workforce. However, the Actual prospects for increased federal funding under a Harris Wallace administration remain uncertain, largely dependent on the composition of the next Congress and border Federal, Federal, Budget priorities, broader .Despite the uncertainties at the federal level, governor Walsh's commitment to education within Minnesota provides a promising example of how state level leadership can impact the lives of neurodivergent individuals. Hi. Administration policies combined with the national conversation sparked by Gus's appearance highlight the importance of prioritizing special education, funding, and support services.
Neurodivergent students like Gus have unique strengths that can be nurtured with special education. The right resources and support system is in place. Conclusion. Embracing neurodiversity. Gus Walsh's public journey has shed light on the challenges and strengths of neurodiversity. Neurodivergent individuals from difficulties with social cues and motor skills to remarkable ability to notice details others might miss.
His story serves as a reminder that conditions like NBLD do not exist. Define or limit a person's potential. And said they can offer unique perspectives and secret powers that enrich both individuals and society as a whole, the growing recognition of neurodivergence fueled by figures like Gus and the policies of leaders, such as governor Walsh points to a future where neurodivergent individuals are increasingly seen, heard, and supported with.
Continued efforts to make voting, education, and employment more accessible. We can create a world where neurodivergent people not only survive, but thrive. Thank you for listening to this episode. I hope that episode was Well worth it for you to listen to and that you were able to take something away from it even if you don't have a learning challenge or if you do I hope it was extra worthwhile for you so that you are able to Learn something and maybe journal and jot down some few takeaways so that The next time you experience that challenge yourself, you're able to, , learn how to breathe through it more easily or maybe not have a meltdown or a tantrum or be able to take away more learning from it and not make the same mistake twice, you know, and be able to also help somebody else go through that experience if you have a friend who has a learning difference and you are neurotypical. So I hope you will be able to have those experiences in your life now that you have listened to this episode.
