For fifty years I believed, naively, that we all felt the world in the same way, and presumed that I just wasn’t doing it well enough. I presumed that I was the problem. And since everyone around me told me that it was me, I had no reason to doubt it.

But now I know that it wasn’t me. Now I know that because I have neurological differences, I feel and see and hear the world in ways that are different to the majority. But because most environments are designed without neuro differences being understood or considered, I am constantly disadvantaged by my sensory experiences.

The truth is that I feel things intensely and in ways that are hard to believe and accept if you don’t experience them yourself. If there was a way for someone to be me for just a day, to feel the world like I do, then understanding might change for the better.

Since this isn’t possible yet, the next best thing is that we write and sing and dance about our differences so that society knows we are different and not difficult. Are we disabled and disordered? Well most of us feel like we are because environments and attitudes often work against us.

So, with more voices we can challenge and change the stereotypes and the stigma. When we share our stories it will become clear that there are so many of us feeling the world differently and that it is time for the world to recognise that and include us as equal.

Different but equal; equal but different.

Many previously marginalised groups are now welcome and accepted but often,neuro differences and the whole field of neurodiversity seems to have been left behind.

Some of this is, in my opinion, and experience, because people are scared to disclose their difference. People feel different but don’t recognise why. And, people choose to isolate themselves, having long ago given up trying to fit into a world that seems harsh and critical.

A change in attitude and awareness is free. There is no reason that it cannot be done unless people choose to discriminate. A strong word? Too much? Not fair?

People are not deliberately excluding us, but inadvertently many attitudes and environments do discriminate against us.

Small changes in attitudes and environments will make massive differences to those of us who feel the world differently.

At least 20% of people have mental health issues.

Over 20% of the population report anxiety issues.

13% of the population are diagnosed with ADHD and that excludes many women and many others who have no access to services or self recognition.

At least 8% of people are diagnosed with PTSD and between 3-5% of people are currently diagnosed with CPTSD, but I expect this figure is far larger.

Dyslexia is thought to be found in at least 20% of the UK population.

Dyspraxia affects at least 6% of people and these statistics are only from people who received ‘diagnosis’.

Depression is thought to be affecting at least 1 in every 6 adults in the UK.

Autism rates vary from 1-4% depending where you look, and more importantly, most people don’t have any access to services and many more don’t recognise themselves as autistic.

When we describe autism without the stereotypes, and include women who are often misdiagnosed, the numbers will rise dramatically.

All of these, and many more, are conditions in which the brain functions a little, or a lot, differently.

For those of us that are autistic we know that the stereotypes, prejudice and stigma are huge.

Family members who have other conditions still don’t want to be linked with mine. They say that they are ‘just’ dyslexic. Just?

There seem to be many neurologically different ways of feeling, and hearing, and seeing the world. We could use our words and thoughts and experiences to help create a society that sees and hears us. A society that is friendly to difference.

For my Post Grad Certificate with Sheffield and The National Autistic Society I researched this very question and many of the answers were, in fact, at the moment not really. That is why our stories could be the start of the change that is needed for a bright new day.

I’d like to compile stories of us. From the time inside out. But also stories of those around us. And those who have yet to know us.

You can find me at feelingtheworlddifferently.co.uk or chat via Feelingtheworlddifferently@gmail.com

We can change the world but I can’t do it on my own. Tracy x