Being a Good Ally to Neurodivergent Folks

You don’t need to be perfect to be supportive. You just need to be curious, compassionate, and willing to keep learning.

This page is for friends, family, partners, coworkers, and anyone who wants to better understand the neurodivergent people in their lives. We’ve gathered articles, videos, and tools that explain common experiences, bust myths, and offer real ways to show up with empathy.

No jargon. No shame. Just resources from people who’ve lived it.

🔗 Helpful Links for Allies

🧠 Understanding Neurodivergence

• “What is Neurodiversity?” – Harvard Health

• “The Double Empathy Problem” – Dr. Damian Milton (Video)

• “What It’s Like to Have ADHD” – How to ADHD (YouTube)

• “Autism Acceptance vs. Autism Awareness” – NeuroClastic

💬 How to Support

• “How to Be a Good Ally to Your Neurodivergent Friends” – Jessica McCabe (Video)

• “Neurodivergent People Don’t Need Fixing” – Psychology Today

• “30 Things You Can Say Instead of 'You Don’t Look Autistic'” – The Mighty

❤️ For Parents & Partners

• “Supporting Your Autistic Partner” – AANE

• “How to Support a Neurodivergent Child” – Understood.org

• “ADHD and Relationships: A Survival Guide” – ADDitude

🛠️ What Not to Do (and Why)

• “Intent Isn’t Impact: Harmful Phrases Neurodivergent Folks Hear” – Neurodivergent Rebel

• “Why Forcing Eye Contact Can Be Harmful” – Autism Parenting Magazine

• “Please Stop Calling Autistic Adults ‘High Functioning’” – The Aspergian (NeuroClastic)

💭 Final Thought

You won’t always get it right, and that’s okay. Just keep showing up, listening, and learning. Your effort matters more than your perfection, and every step forward is a step closer to a more inclusive world.