Be Longing: Neurodivergent Intersectional Student Distress in the AAOG

Navigating academic environments as neurodivergent students, especially those with intersectional identities such as older Black women with late ADHD and autism diagnoses, reveals unique challenges around acceptance and belonging. The concept of 'Be Longing' poignantly captures this dual experience of yearning—to be accepted as one truly is while simultaneously fulfilling the innate human need to belong socially and institutionally. From personal experience, the journey toward self-acceptance after late diagnosis can be both liberating and isolating. Many neurodivergent students find themselves represented in discourse yet feel excluded from fully belonging to any community. This paradox can heighten distress, impacting mental health and academic performance. Support systems tailored to intersectional identities are critical in addressing these challenges. Institutions like the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation and the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities actively promote research and resources to better support adult autistic individuals, highlighting the need for inclusive practices within academic organizations such as the AAOG. Educational talks and poems, as referenced in this talk, can help start difficult conversations about identity, intersectionality, and neurodivergence. Engaging with these resources has underscored for me the importance of community-building efforts that recognize the layered identities students carry. Programs that blend neurodivergence awareness with cultural competence can foster environments where all students feel genuinely seen and accepted. As awareness grows around late diagnoses and their impact on life trajectories, so too must the commitment to creating inclusive academic spaces. If you identify with these experiences or wish to support these voices, consider exploring talks like this one available on YouTube and the broader initiatives from organizations dedicated to neurodivergent and intersectional advocacy. Sharing stories and fostering dialogue can transform 'Be Longing' from a space of distress into one of empowered belonging.