Celebrating Pride Month & the Neurodivergent Community: Embracing Intersectionality
Hi everyone! In typical ADHD fashion, I am, of course, sharing this reflection on the very last day of Pride Month, but as the saying goes, better late than never! 🌈 While June might be winding down, the vital conversation surrounding neurodivergence and LGBTQIA+ identities deserves to be alive and vibrant all year long. As an enthusiastic neurodivergent occupational therapist, I want to take a moment to honor and uplift this powerful intersection.
1. The Overlap is Real
Recent research over the past five years reveals an incredible truth: neurodivergent individuals are significantly more likely to identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Studies show that autistic people are 3 to 6 times more likely to embrace a gender-diverse identity and are far less likely to identify as heterosexual (straight) compared to their neurotypical peers (Warrier et al., 2020). The Trevor Project highlights that at least 5% of LGBTQ youth are autistic, with an additional 35% believing they may be within that spectrum (The Trevor Project, 2022). This overlap illustrates a beautiful tapestry of identities that enriches our communities.
2. Addressing Mental Health Challenges
When I first encountered these statistics, I honestly cried. The mental health challenges facing LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent individuals are profoundly concerning. Unfortunately, LGBTQ youth already experience elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The risks increase even more when neurodivergence is part of the equation. For instance, research has shown that autistic LGBTQ youth face over 50% greater odds of attempting suicide in the past year compared to their neurotypical counterparts (The Trevor Project, 2022). These numbers represent real lives navigating a world that often doesn’t fully embrace who they are. It serves as a call to action for all of us to create spaces where everyone feels valued.
3. Becoming a Meaningful Ally
I don’t belong to the LGBTQIA+ community myself, but I believe it is my ethical responsibility, as both a therapist and a human, to advocate for, respect, uplift, and affirm all identities. Here’s how we can all show up as allies in meaningful ways (If you are neurodivergent & LGBTQ, please comment your thoughts and ideas so we can learn from your lived perspective, too!):
Affirm identities: Use inclusive language, respect people’s pronouns, and challenge assumptions.
Create safe spaces: Design environments that are affirming of both neurodivergent and queer identities, including in therapy sessions, on intake forms, and in support tools.
Understand double marginalization: Recognize the experience of those facing both ableism and queerphobia as a unique challenge that deserves our attention.
Listen genuinely: Support self-expression in all forms, whether it relates to gender identity, sensory preferences, or communication styles.
4. The Research Backs This Up
Occupational therapy literature is increasingly recognizing the importance of providing client-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, and identity-supportive care as essential for mental wellness and engagement. Adopting a trauma-informed, inclusive perspective should not be an add-on. It should be the standard that all occupational therapy practitioners aspire to uphold. When I first encountered those statistics, my tears were not just about sadness, but a sense of deep responsibility to do better. That experience was a part of what fueled my determination to become a certified clinical trauma specialist. If you're a therapist in Arizona, I highly recommend exploring the incredible courses available at the Arizona Trauma Institute. I hope that their trainings transform your practice, perspective, and worldview like they did mine (check them out at https://aztrauma.org).
5. Our Commitment at Sensory Life
At Sensory Life Assessment & Wellness, understanding intersectionality is more than just a trendy phrase; it is woven into the fabric of how we support the fullness of each individual. We are proud to:
Welcome clients of all gender identities and neurotypes
Provide sensory-friendly, LGBTQIA+ inclusive telehealth sessions
Explore how sensory needs and identity expression intertwine
Collaborate with clients to define what regulation, safety, and a sense of belonging mean to them
Final Thoughts
Pride is about visibility, but it is also about belonging. This means embracing all who identify as neurodivergent, queer, both, or still figuring it out. You deserve wholehearted support that honors every facet of who you are. One of my favorite quotes is, "The most beautiful thing you can be is yourself." I genuinely hope that you feel celebrated, safe, and free to be 100% you.
Remember, whatever your journey looks like, there is always space for you here. Happy Pride Month!
Be well,
Julia
Sensory Life Assessment & Wellness
The Trevor Project. (2022). Mental health among autistic LGBTQ youth (Research Brief). https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/mental-health-among-autistic-lgbtq-youth-apr-2022/
Urbanowski, N. (2025, June 14). The overlap between neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ identities. I‑Can Center. https://www.i-can.center/blog/the-overlap-between-neurodiversity-and-lgbtqia-identities
Warrier, V., Greenberg, D. M., Weir, E., Buckingham, C., Smith, P., Lai, M.-C., Allison, C., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2020). Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Nature Communications, 11, 3959. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17794-1
