🔥 Growing up neurodivergent came with its own set of challenges, and one of the hardest was struggling with reading comprehension when asked to read out loud. Teachers would ask us to read passages and then answer questions, but I couldn’t fully comprehend while speaking.
To truly understand, I had to reread silently and process in my head - by which point, someone else had often already answered the question. This left me feeling frustrated, as though I was somehow “missing” the mark, even though I knew I could understand the material deeply if given the chance.
🔥🐉 The Struggle Continues: A Turning Point in the Workplace
These challenges didn’t disappear in the workplace. I remember a particularly high-stakes management meeting without an upfront agenda where slides were presented quickly, and we were expected to absorb everything instantly.
I couldn’t keep up with reading and comprehending both the slides and the discussion at the same time. When I was called upon to share my view, I felt completely unprepared.
I wanted to hide, wondering if my need for extra processing time was somehow a flaw. At that moment, I hadn’t yet learned how to create the space I needed for myself, and it felt like I’d never keep up in a world that seemed designed for others.
💎 Creating Inclusive Environments for All Processing Styles
This experience taught me the importance of a well-facilitated environment. For many, challenges with processing can stem from ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or past trauma, which impact focus and comprehension.
Adapted meeting structures - like sharing information in advance or allowing self-reflection time - benefit everyone by helping participants absorb information at their own pace.
For quick thinkers, having structured reflection time can help them pause and think deeply before contributing, encouraging a balanced space where thoughtful insights emerge rather than rushing in to fill the silence.
💎🐉 When conversations are managed with clear boundaries and structured facilitation, quick thinkers don’t feel the need to carry the dialogue forward alone.
Instead, everyone gets the chance to share in the conversation’s direction, creating a team environment where all voices, including those who process deeply, feel respected and engaged.
Dragon Wisdom: “I didn’t struggle because I was slow - I struggled because reading out loud wasn’t how my brain could make sense of the words. When I can read in silence and take it all in, my understanding deepens. Now, I make sure everyone has time to process information their own way, because clarity is about connection, not pace.”
🧠🐉 Embracing My Unique Path
Today, I’ve come to see that my journey to process deeply is a strength, allowing me to create meaningful insights and make thoughtful decisions.
What once felt like a disadvantage has become a superpower that benefits not just myself, but my entire team. It’s a reminder that by adapting our environments to support all processing styles, we can create workplaces where everyone’s unique contributions shine.
Stay tuned for the next part of my journey - where I’ll share how my creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, once seen as a flaw, became the very thing that allowed me to innovate and solve complex problems. 💪🏿🐉
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Caveat: Neurodiversity exists on a spectrum, and no two experiences are the same. I am sharing my personal journey, but it’s important to remember that others may have different experiences.
Additionally, my story is shaped not only by neurodiversity but also by childhood trauma, which can make it challenging to differentiate between the causes of certain symptoms. This is my truth, but it may not reflect the experience of others.
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