Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026

In the background of each image is a patchwork quilt with lots of different patterns and colours. In the foreground is one patch with a quote on from members of our family participation panels. Below we list each quote.

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• Others see me as weird
• I see myself as being misunderstood
• I would like to be treated like its ok to be who I am
• I enjoy being a maverick most about being neurodiverse!!

Mother, 55

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• Others see me as really strange like I’m an alien
• I see myself as just a person really, just me
• I would like to be treated normally
• I don’t really enjoy anything about being neurodiverse

Daughter, 16

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• Others see me as annoying and amazing
• I always want to do better and like to chill
• I’d like to be treated like I am me
• It’s fun watching other people who take the world and opinions of others so seriously, that’s what I like about being neuro-diverse.

Son, 19

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• Others see me as weird
• I see myself as special
• I’d like to be valued
• Having a small circle of friends who love me for ME is the thing I enjoy about being neurodiverse

Daughter, 25

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• Others see me as annoying and awkward
• I see myself as legendary!
• I’d like to be treated with respect and dignity
• I love being neuro-diverse and being me; even on the hard days I’m myself for a reason so I wouldn’t change it.

Daughter, 26

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• Others see me as odd
• I see myself as laid back
• I’d like to be treated without judgement
• My neurodiverse skill is enjoy being able to pick up small details that can paint a much wider picture

Son, 18

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• People see me as strange when I tick
• I see myself as embarrassed when I tick
• I would like to be treated like everyone else
• My family’s taught me I’m special because I’m me and I like me

Grandson, 12

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• I see myself as AUDHD, someone who feels love, empathy and injustice deeply.

Mother, 45

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• Others see me as not social as I stay inside a lot.
• I like the military, it is interesting because of the engineering that goes into making the vehicles.
• I want to be able to do what I think is worth my time. 8 hours of school each day and only half of what they teach is going to be of use to me is pointless.
• I don’t like being neurodiverse. I just like being me, doing what I like, enjoy and am good at.

Grandson

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• People see me as a chill guy who loves a bit of banter.
• I see myself just as a normal, laid-back guy.
• I’d like to be treated the same as everyone else.
• I’m different and that’s okay.

Son

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• There’s nothing good about being neurodivergent, what is there to be happy about.
• I want to be treated the same as everyone else.
• A lot of people just think I’m really hyper and energetic.

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• In a world where we have so many differences, we should all be accepted for who we are and how we present and celebrate being beautifully unique.