A short time ago, a pair of neurodiverse clinicians met at a conference …

1. Tessa Gillespie (Physio/Psychotherapist, ND burnout/accomodations curious, art making, pilates girlie) and;
2. Betty Snell (Prov Psych, Psych Nurse, PhD student, Trauma and Dissociation obsessive, knitting addict, terrible violinist

met and immediately fell into furious agreement about their experiences of anxiety and isolation as autistic clinicians. In a moment of collaboration, they agreed that they needed to create more opportunities for this kind of magic.

A social media meme of unknown origin:

"Why do I need a label? Because there is comfort in knowing you are a normal zebra, not a strange horse. Because you can't find community with other zebras if you don't know where you belong. And because it is impossible for the zebra to be happy or healthy spending it's life feeling like a failed horse."

Post diagnosis, I loved how the short form Autism (Au) was also the symbol of gold. Allowing me to feel like my difference was a hidden treasure rather than a inconvenience. Furthermore, the zebra is often used to represent the invisible illness community which many of us, ND folk, are also a part of. Feel free to share your own symbol or drawing and identify yourself as a golden zebra too.

Our goal is both broad and skimpy - to create a nexus for ND clinicians to be able to connect with each other. Maybe you have created resources that you think other clinicians might benefit from. Maybe you have a query about practice that you want to get some other ND perspectives on. Maybe you just want to know that you are not alone, and that actually there are lots of other skilled, thriving neurodivergent clinicians in your field. You are welcome! We want to know you!

What we’re not going to be (at least at this time) is an advocacy group, education provider, or register of ND clinicians. Those things are important but Betty and Tessa only have limited space between work, research, hobbies etc. 

So what we will do is offer you this space (temporarily hosted by Tessa’s professional website while we find our feet). We will have a resource pool, a discussion board, a quarterly newsletter to share research, stories, and other juicy tidbits, and social events every 2 months or so. If you would like to identify yourself as part of this community, we encourage you to add the golden zebra icon to your name badge, email signature, or LinkedIn profile! 

Welcome to the community. You’re not a shit horse…you’re a pretty great zebra.

We wan't to keep this space as inclusive and informal as possible. It's a free community to share, grow and support us in a world where we are hidden in plain sight. 

Our aim is for a quarterly newsletter, every two month online meeting and face to face optional meet ups. 

Just so we are clear neurodiversity is a large umbrella and all are welcome whether you self identify or are diagnosed.