Last month we started unpacking what the term “neurodivergent” means. The word neurodivergent was coined in 1998 by a sociologist named Judy Singer who wanted to point out that each person’s brain is uniquely developed.
Yolanda Brailey
“Neurodivergent” is a buzzword that came from the related term “neurodiverse.” You may have heard someone describe themselves as “neurodivergent” or being “neurodiverse.” Judy Singer (a sociologist) coined the word “neurodiversity” in 1998 to point out that every person’s brain develops in a unique way. In fact, we know that no two brains—even the brains of identical twins—are exactly like.
As weird as it sounds, I have always been personally and professionally interested in grief. I think it is because somewhere along the way I realized that grief, like love, is universal. The saying goes—if you love you will grieve. And I have found this to be true. People that know me say I “love big” so it makes sense that I would “grieve big” too.
“Ambiguous loss happens when you are grieving someone who is still living. It’s different than the grief you experience when someone you love dies. That kind of loss is finite and certain and there’s no question you should feel pain. Ambiguous loss happens when something or someone profoundly changes or disappears” (www.whatsyourgrief.com ). Some examples of ambiguous loss include: divorce, incarceration, prisoners or hostages of war, substance abuse/addiction and those struggling with mental illness.
