How West African societies embraced autism, ADHD, and neurodivergence as spiritual gifts and essential community roles—long before diagnosis existed. This essay reconnects Black neurodivergent readers with ancestral frameworks erased by colonialism.
Such amazing insight and well thought out writing. I’ve had this same thinking and conversation with friends who are also neurodivergent, it’s so nice to see it in words. So affirming ❤️🫶🏾
This was fascinating. It’s kind of a shame that I’m still so traumatized that while reading it I was just thinking about how I want to memorize this stuff so I can slam people with it in arguments. I have a lot of reading to catch up but one of these days I want to dig into how these different nuances of neurodivergences were classified before being rebranded by the DSM lens. Thanks for all this information.
Thank you. While understanding that these stories are there to restore, heal and reconnect neurodivergent people of African descent and particularly Yoruban lineage from West Africa, it feels and is very valuable too for anyone beyond this. It feels like we have forgotten and you are helping us, even those not the direct descendants and traditional owners of these traditions also to remember. For me at least I am very grateful to have found your story here, for the presence and space you hold in order to share it.
Thank you so much for this reflection it means a lot. Yes, these stories are rooted in the restoration and remembering of Black neurodivergent people, especially those of West African and Yorùbá lineages, but their resonance stretches further.
What liberates us often clears the path for others too. Black people across the diasporas have always been the pulse beneath movements for justice globally. Once people recognize where we are in the social hierarchy, they’ll understand that what supports our healing often builds scaffolding for everyone’s freedom.
Just like how using non-gendered pronouns honors and affirms trans and non-binary people and in doing so, expands dignity for all humans this work honors our lineages and extends an invitation to collective liberation.
I’m glad the story met you where you are. That’s the power of ancestral memory it ripples beyond borders and bloodlines.
So beautifully said and true. It's very special the way you do your work, it's hard too I imagine. There is so much hunger, a vast spiritual vaccum in Western societies. I think by defending the knowledge by guarding it and it's traditional owners you also make sure that it remains nourishing for all people. Not that it needs to be, not that there is anything owed - to the contrary -, or anything you in anyway are required to do for anyone other than those you have become powerful enough to honor, it just is this way. It is not something to be appropriated, it belongs, it has roots, it lives in bloodlines. And in this way it sustains and holds meaning. I am so grateful for your work.
I REALLY love this piece and have re-read through it multiple times. I would so love to work with you in future Lovette. I appreciate the time you took to study and research this topic. And I hope the message reaches more platforms!!!
I have always said, neurodivergence is not a mistake, IT IS THE METHOD. I want us to empower and celebrate it more.
This is amazing to read. I'm not diagnosed but I feel I am neurodivergent and so much of what you talk about here fits with who I am. And I love it! We really can not and we're never meant to be erased ✊🏾
Thank you very much for all the time, hard work, dedication, lifeforce and wisdom you clearly put into creating this and your wider body of work 🙏🏾🫶🏾👏🏾💐
I love the spirit of North Africa, West, East, Southern, Central Africa, and Europe, Australia, the Americas, and Asia. Basically, cultures all over the world are awesome. Keep the stories coming. Some of our authors need this material for their novels. Our members say they are the world. It tells you how big your heart gets when you join certain groups.
Thank you for this!!! I’ve been trying to find this information! It has been so lost in cultural misunderstandings/ non-translations! Thank you for your work to bridge the cultural, and language divides!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Thank you so much for this. It came across my feed at the right time, as I'm discovering in my midlife how neurodivergent I am. I look forward to reading more of your work 💗
This is one of my favorite pieces on Substack: Thank you for writing.
Such amazing insight and well thought out writing. I’ve had this same thinking and conversation with friends who are also neurodivergent, it’s so nice to see it in words. So affirming ❤️🫶🏾
This was fascinating. It’s kind of a shame that I’m still so traumatized that while reading it I was just thinking about how I want to memorize this stuff so I can slam people with it in arguments. I have a lot of reading to catch up but one of these days I want to dig into how these different nuances of neurodivergences were classified before being rebranded by the DSM lens. Thanks for all this information.
Oh this is fascinating! Loving your POV
Thank you. While understanding that these stories are there to restore, heal and reconnect neurodivergent people of African descent and particularly Yoruban lineage from West Africa, it feels and is very valuable too for anyone beyond this. It feels like we have forgotten and you are helping us, even those not the direct descendants and traditional owners of these traditions also to remember. For me at least I am very grateful to have found your story here, for the presence and space you hold in order to share it.
Thank you so much for this reflection it means a lot. Yes, these stories are rooted in the restoration and remembering of Black neurodivergent people, especially those of West African and Yorùbá lineages, but their resonance stretches further.
What liberates us often clears the path for others too. Black people across the diasporas have always been the pulse beneath movements for justice globally. Once people recognize where we are in the social hierarchy, they’ll understand that what supports our healing often builds scaffolding for everyone’s freedom.
Just like how using non-gendered pronouns honors and affirms trans and non-binary people and in doing so, expands dignity for all humans this work honors our lineages and extends an invitation to collective liberation.
I’m glad the story met you where you are. That’s the power of ancestral memory it ripples beyond borders and bloodlines.
So beautifully said and true. It's very special the way you do your work, it's hard too I imagine. There is so much hunger, a vast spiritual vaccum in Western societies. I think by defending the knowledge by guarding it and it's traditional owners you also make sure that it remains nourishing for all people. Not that it needs to be, not that there is anything owed - to the contrary -, or anything you in anyway are required to do for anyone other than those you have become powerful enough to honor, it just is this way. It is not something to be appropriated, it belongs, it has roots, it lives in bloodlines. And in this way it sustains and holds meaning. I am so grateful for your work.
Thank you for this! 💛✨
Thank you for reading 🫶🏾🙏🏾
I REALLY love this piece and have re-read through it multiple times. I would so love to work with you in future Lovette. I appreciate the time you took to study and research this topic. And I hope the message reaches more platforms!!!
I have always said, neurodivergence is not a mistake, IT IS THE METHOD. I want us to empower and celebrate it more.
This is amazing to read. I'm not diagnosed but I feel I am neurodivergent and so much of what you talk about here fits with who I am. And I love it! We really can not and we're never meant to be erased ✊🏾
Thank you very much for all the time, hard work, dedication, lifeforce and wisdom you clearly put into creating this and your wider body of work 🙏🏾🫶🏾👏🏾💐
Such a good read! Thank you 🙏
I love the spirit of North Africa, West, East, Southern, Central Africa, and Europe, Australia, the Americas, and Asia. Basically, cultures all over the world are awesome. Keep the stories coming. Some of our authors need this material for their novels. Our members say they are the world. It tells you how big your heart gets when you join certain groups.
Profound and moving
Thank you for this!!! I’ve been trying to find this information! It has been so lost in cultural misunderstandings/ non-translations! Thank you for your work to bridge the cultural, and language divides!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
I personally loathe the DSM. I feel like it’s an oppressive tool used to punish alarm bells. Saved this one to read.
This was the breath of fresh air I needed to read today. Thank you so much for the time you’ve pour into this. I’ve found solace in it.
This was a wonderful read 🌻 thank you for your time and efforts 🙏🏾.
Thank you so much for this. It came across my feed at the right time, as I'm discovering in my midlife how neurodivergent I am. I look forward to reading more of your work 💗