Ice Girl's public thoughts.

Neurodivergent People and Empathy 💐

First Not all neurodivergent people are the same. However a great many of us myself included when someone shares a story will often comment with something I think of that helps display why I can empathize and how I'm feeling about what was shared.

For example someone recently mentioned how upset they were when a manager harassed them.

My reply was oh I get that I once had a manager sexually harass me and had to go to HR and when he got writen up it actually made things worse.

They then responded it's not a competition geeze I didn't ask you about your life I was looking for some empathy.

I was in near tears 😭 I tried to explain that was how I show empathy. I wasn't trying to one up - only show I can understand what it feels like due to my own struggles with people who are in management harming me and feeling trapped.

I genuinely feel if I was better able to communicate how my neurodivergent tendencies impact my communication it would clear up many misconceptions.

Please don't be ableist I am publicly sharing how I let down a friend as a public service announcement. Since I didn't intend to hurt them and just wish they understood I wasn't being defensive or making excuses.

I was engaging in a typical practice of neurodivergent people and in-fact it is one of the reasons I end up with so many neurodivergent friends since I don't feel it's such a struggle to communicate.

Best,
Ice