Social Action Plan

In this final section of my blog and assignment, I am to create a personal action plan that is considered appropriate for addressing the issue I proposed.  To reiterate all that I have discussed thus far, I have ultimately proposed this: There are oppressive, marginalizing and neglectful structures in place within our society today that harm the Neurodiverse community.  I chose to focus on the Autistic and ADHD communities due to working in the schools, and primarily seeing those Neurodiverse individuals in that environment.  This is not to say that there are other forms of Neurodiversity or other forms of diversity in general that are just as important.

Social Action Plan

I have chosen 3 plans of action that I will briefly discuss that correlate with my topic of choice.  Each one will allow for an openness in learning more, educating myself and others.

1. Talking More About Neurodiversity

As simple as it may seem, talking about Neurodiversity more, is my first social action plan. 

I really like this picture of a post on social media that essentially captures my first social action plan about talking about it.  When things are not spoken about openly, they unofficially become "taboo", a "hush" word. Why?  One phrase: Group Think.  What is Group Think?  According Psychology Today (2018), Group Think is "the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility".  

I believe that our society has made Neurodiversity "scary" because it is not talked about enough or understood enough.  Also, those things that we are uneducated in or uninformed in are most likely to be scary.  Neurotypicals and Neurodiverse populations both feel the same way.  So what is the simple way of getting out of this group think and making Neurodiversity more known?  Talking about, simply talking about it.  Making it a part of normal dialogue when talking about diversity in general.  

2. Applying to Doctorate Programs to Do Research

This social action plan is personal to me.  As I am finishing up my Master of Arts in Education - Counselor Education Degree (with a focus on school counseling), I have been applying to Doctoral Programs, to do research on Neurodiverse populations.  I am awaiting to hear back between the winter and spring time about acceptance.  I understand that there is a chance that I may not be accepted, and that is quite alright.  This does not mean that I cannot do research, I would then look for work as a future school counselor, and talk about Neurodiversity within the school I am at.  I would build relationships with the Special Education staff and be open to discuss these issues further within the school system I work in.

3. Speaking Out

Like my first Social Action Plan, in regards to making Neurodiversity a normal topic of discussion, I am attempting to make a plan to be a speaker at different venues to emerge this topic further.  In hopes of reaching different audiences that I am not around consistently.  As of right now, I have been asked to speak at the Merging Communities class, to a group of students at a university in Seattle about this very topic.  From there, I will continue to offer my services, and continue to be a voice for those who are having a hard time being heard.  I want to use my education as an advantage to further aid those like me, in our Neurodiversity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my Social Justice Issue Blog for my Social Justice course!