My piano, with the VERY HELPFUL note stickers on the keys. My teacher gave these to me when she realized that I am struggling with eye" tracking" when I change hand positions.
My name is Sarahbeth. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I was born in 197- {I'm not telling, suffice it to say I am a proud Generation X member}
I am neurodivergent. Thanks, to my mom's doctor's choice to pull me into the world with forceps, my brain works differently than typical brains.
As a person who is neurodivergent, but due to the time when I grew up, I had to endure education in a subpar public school. Since my brain is not that of someone with classical autism, nor am I male, my differences were never addressed in school. It is true that a few of my symptoms are that which fall on the " autism spectrum", but many of the neurodivergent traits I have are not in that classification. Plus{and I know some Autism Parents will jump on me for this .. but I know no other descriptive term} I am very " high functioning". My communication skills were and are not stymied by my neurodivergence at all.
Do I possess an " autistic" trait or two? Yes.
Am I " autistic?" No.
I do not even fit the criteria for Aspergers' Syndrome-- although again, some of the traits do overlap. Anyone who knows me well is aware of my tendency to be a Smarty Pants.
" Book-learning" except for math, came pretty easy for me. I love to read, and I retain what I read with scary accuracy.
However, my fine motor skills leave much to be desired, and learning simple skills like typing was difficult {I finally developed my own system of typing accurately, and I am sure my high school typing teacher would shake her head in dismay.}
P.E. class was disastrous, as I am clumsy, and my eyes do not " track " well. My balance and coordination are not good, so typical " girly" activities like cheerleading and ballet were not possible for me.
In my adult life, very few people-- even medical professionals, have bothered to ask me about my neurodivergence-- how {we think} it happened and how I am affected daily.
I don't drive because I cannot drive. I certified occupational therapist evaluated me and attempted to teach me to drive & affirmed that I am not safe on the road. Not too long ago, a woman I knew said to my face:
" It must be nice to have your own chauffeur. "
No, it is NOT " nice" to not be able to do something that most Americans over the age of sixteen take for granted. As a matter of fact, it sucks. But I cannot grouse about what I physically cannot do-- grousing never changed a damn thing.
Bottom line is: My brain works a wee bit differently than most typical people's brains. I've accepted that I am neurodivergent and am learning to celebrate that unique perspective that being Different but Not Less Than { Dr Temple Grandin} gives me.
In spite of the birth trauma, I am not, and never was, " broken".
I am a whole, holy child of my Creator.
I am, just like every other human, am " fearfully & wonderfully made..."
- from Psalm 139:14
~~Sarahbeth McCarren
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