Keeping neurohumility in mind helps us approach people’s lived experiences with humility and openness.
Keeping neurohumility in mind helps us approach people’s lived experiences with humility and openness.
Have you ever had someone say ‘I totally get it’ about your experiences, only to realise they really didn’t? Yup, me too.
This was on my mind last summer when I participated in a wonderful workshop run by Rachel Boggan at the properties of light called ‘Cultural Humility + Neurodiversity Affirming Practices’. During the sessions they introduced the concept of ‘neurohumility’, and I find it a super helpful process to reflect on as a coach.
Neurohumility is a self-reflective process wherein a person maintains a genuine humbleness toward the lived experience of other body-minds. Much like other intersectional reflective work where complete competence is never achieved, neurohumility operates on a continuum and continual commitment, curiosity and openness toward understanding different neurodivergent experiences.
When coaching autistic and/or ADHD people, I often resonate deeply with people’s narratives. This may be great for relationship building, but the danger is in making the assumption that our similarities equate to a shared understanding.
Even as someone who shares some similar experiences with people I coach, I’ve learned that my brainbody works differently from everyone else’s. My sensory world isn’t the same, what feels overwhelming to me might be energising to you, and what is a sustainable rhythm for my life might be completely different for someone else.
Keeping neurohumility in mind helps me approach people’s lived experiences with humility and openness.
For instance, when someone mentions ‘sensory overload,’ I don’t assume I know what that feels like for them. Your overload might be visual chaos, while mine might be auditory. When you say you’re ‘masking,’ the energy that costs you and how it shows up could be entirely different from my experience.
At Neurokin Coaching, I aim to create kind, understanding connections while maintaining humility about others’ unique experiences. This means when we work together, I will try not to assume I know what your stimming means to you, or how your special interests fit into your life, or what support actually looks like for your unique brainbody.
Reference:
https://www.thepropertiesoflight.com/trainingsconsultation 
