Purpose and why we ask 'why' a lot

Jill Holly
2 days ago
2 min read

Originally posted 11th June 2023 on my NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page

I think a key feature of Autistic/Adhd drive is natural motivation. I ask lots of questions because knowing 'why' is the key to me being motivated and alert (thank you Dopamine receptors aka Brain science stuff).

Knowing why means I understand. If I understand and if something aligns with me, I can do it.

I can do things when I understand and when the thing has purpose.

Linked to this is the rationale behind a Hunter/Gatherer view of the World.

Diversity is needed in the World.

Our eco systems and humans, need diversity. We need a spread of people so that all Things survive best using a variety of skills/ways.

No point having everyone just do as told. We need questioners. No point having everyone questioners, we need some to do as told.

We need difference.

(Except that School seems to squash the uniqueness out of us. Maybe the people in charge want to keep themselves in charge but for their own gain. I'll save that for another post). (Not all Schools).

I'll give an example of how my brain can make me do something when it matters to me.

Below is a picture of a pile of soil.

I underestimated how much soil would come out of the foundations of my garden when building my work Studio. 6 tonnes to be precise and it needs to go.

I am not known for going to the gym. I cannot find the motivation. I am a slug. Just moving for the sake of moving, doesn't work for me.

But, I have a natural motivation to clear the humongous mound of soil.

Therefore I am digging and moving barrow-fulls of the stuff and enjoying it.

Because there is a natural reason. Because I know why. Because it matters to me.

This is how my brain works. It's not a choice. I'm wired this way. My interest is peaked because it is peaked by natural motivation.

When you understand an Adhd/Autistic brain, when you understand our quirks, it becomes easier to work alongside us. It becomes easier to navigate the World.

This is why it helps (mostly) to know your Neurotype, to understand why some things are easier/harder for folk.

This is why my work (Counselling) starts with me explaining brain differences.

Understand us. Make the effort. Ask us questions.

But to the Therapists or Professionals out there, please do not use Client precious time to ask them to teach you. Learn the basics in your own CPD time.

Clients should not be paying to teach you how to help them. Emergent Divergence: Neuroqueerness, Autistic and Neurodivergent Experience wrote about in this Article: https://emergentdivergence.com/2023/03/23/autistic-people-should-not-have-to-educate-their-therapist/

Please, everyone, read books written by Autistic/Adhd Authors who know what it's like 'from the inside'.

Read Research written by Autistic/Adhd folk.

Read my free Education Page where I share stuff only written by Autistic/Adhd folk - NeuroDiversity University.

Anyhoodle. I'm off to continue digging.

(Not every Autistic/Adhd person is the same but some stuff IS the same, just displayed differently).