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Image text: Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week! March 13-19. Learn more: neurodiversityweek.com

Image text: Founded in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is "a worldwide initiative that aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual." Quote: "I believe that neurological differences, such as autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia are natural variations in the human brain. l am trying to flip the narrative so that society stops viewing US as defective and starts to embrace and harness our many strengths and talents." Siena Castellon, founder.

Image text: MO Ho Justice Coalition celebrates neurodiversity within our sex-working communities! Here are some highlights from our earlier post on Sex Work and Neurodivergence. Read more:

Image text: Terms to know. Neurodivergent: Having a brain that functions differently from what is considered "normal." Neurotypical: Having a brain that functions in ways that are considered "normal." Neurotype: How a person's brain works, including any diagnosable mental or neurological conditions. Neurodiversity: The natural diversity of human neurotypes (which includes both neurodivergent and neurotypical people!)

Image text: Why do some neurodivergent people choose sex work? Many traits/symptoms associated with neurodivergence can make traditional jobs less accessible to neurodivergent people. These include: Insomnia and differences in chronotype. Differences in sensory integration. Differences in attention regulation. Difficulty responding to change. Mental fatigue. Overstimulation. For some neurodivergent people, sex work may provide a more accessible option.

Image text: Potential benefits of sex work for (some) neurodivergent adults: Flexibility with scheduling! The opportunity to adjust working hours when mental/chronic illness symptoms flare up. Many neurodivergent workers are able to meet their financial needs with fewer hours of sexual labor than other forms of (accessible) labor. This can help prevent physical and mental burnout.

Image text: Problems neurodivergent sex workers face: Lack of access to supportive and respectful mental health care. May be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to stereotypes (of sex workers, BIPOC, women, etc.). Compounded stigma. Lack of access to information that could help them understand their own neurotype and how to advocate for their needs.

Image text: Ways to support neurodivergent sex workers: Destigmatize neurodivergence along with destigmatizing sex work. Respect neurodivergent adults' sexual agency. Advocate for neurodiversity-affirming, sex-worker-affirming mental health services. Advocate for accessible, neurodiversity-friendly workplaces and job applications/interviews to give neurodivergent people more employment options. Advocate for non-stigmatizing research on sex work and neurodivergence that respects neurodivergent sex workers as experts on their own experiences. See linked doc for sources and more info!

Sources and more info: