Launching Welcome Neurodiversity!

I first heard about the CSI House from my friends who had visited for an art class trip, just a couple blocks from my high school. Immediately, I was drawn to its nurturing, friendly environment but even more so to the people there - each and every one of them welcomed me with open arms, eager to see me and ecstatic to talk and hang out. I kept returning, again and again, excited to spend time with my new friends and the women who teach there - although I am only allowed to spend my short lunch periods there, I look forward for every second I spend there eating, talking, and playing games.

Neurodiversity is surrounded by a stigma: society tends to marginalize neurodivergent individuals simply because their brains are different than neurotypical people’s. What people don’t witness is the incredible musical talent of Aryan - he can listen to a song one moment and perfectly nail the drum part in the next. They don’t understand how Mimi always looks out for everyone, caring for everyone deeply. They’ve never seen how Lila loves to make you laugh, always telling a crazy story to everyone. They don’t know Kyle, always excited to talk to you about anything, especially Marvel. They’ve never met Mark, always willing to patiently listen to your stories and play a game with you with a smile on his face.

The students are some of the kindest, happiest, most brilliant people I have met, yet it pains me to see them kept on the outs of society. “Welcome Neurodiversity” aims to altering existing systems and norms that repress neurodiverse people by removing harmful stereotypes around them and constructing a platform for them to flourish and feel accepted.