Neurominorities contribute important strengths and perspectives that enrich our communities
People who are part of the neurodivergent community may have traits that affect, for example, concentration, interaction, language, or executive functioning. These differences are not caused by upbringing or willpower, but stem from individual variations in brain function. It’s important to remember that every person – including those who are neurodivergent – has their own strengths. When these strengths are recognised and supported, everyone can grow and thrive in their own way.
Mission and Vision
Our goal is to raise awareness and drive social impact, particularly regarding attitudes, service structures, and educational pathways, as well as to strengthen guidance and support services.
Information
Recognition of neurodivergence has improved in recent years as awareness and understanding of brain diversity have increased. Yet many neurodivergent people still do not receive the support they need.
Every person is an individual, with their own strengths and unique support needs.
Become a Member
The purpose of the association is to raise awareness of the social position of neurodivergent people and to improve it. By becoming a member, you support our work and help us develop it further.
When life is shaped by the majority
Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of the brain – describing the fact that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. People who are part of the neurodivergent community may also experience mental strain, such as depression or anxiety. This is not caused by neurodivergence itself, but often by a lack of fit with the surrounding environment, ongoing stress, or insufficient support.
In everyday life, this may appear as:
- inflexibility or difficulty adapting to changes
- a strong need for predictability
- challenges with attention or emotional regulation
- difficulties with daily executive functioning
- motor clumsiness or withdrawal from social situations
- sensory processing differences (e.g. sounds, lights, or smells)
Living as a neurodivergent person often means living in a world designed around the ways of the majority. Support needs are not always visible, which is why we also need invisible ramps: support structures and accommodations for people with disabilities that are not immediately apparent.
These include understanding, changes in attitudes, flexibility, and accessibility that takes diverse needs into account. At the same time, it’s important to remember that neurodivergent people have many strengths such as creativity, precision, persistence, empathy, and new ways of thinking. With the right kind of support, these strengths can truly shine.
#NäeNepsy?
The NäeNepsy website is for for everyone affected by these topics – for both professionals and families. We collect information, share stories, and invite you to reflect on what an equal and sensory-accessible, compassionate world for neurodivergent people could look like five to ten years from now. The world changes as knowledge and understanding grows.
Does this sound familiar?
Are you, a loved one, or someone you know part of the neurodivergent community? Supporting a neurodivergent person can feel unfamiliar to someone who has little or no experience of neurodiversity. The topic is widely discussed, yet timely and appropriate support is still not always available. When someone breaks a leg, it’s easy to see – the cast and crutches tell the story. But the needs of neurodivergent people are often invisible, and that’s why the need for support can go unnoticed.
Sometimes just one understanding person can make all the difference – like an encouraging teacher who sees a child’s strengths beneath their struggles.
You can be that person, the one who changes someone’s direction in life.
Ways you can support someone who is neurodivergent
- Check you’ve understood. Ask how the person themselves thinks or feels about the situation.
- Listen and meet them where they are. Don’t immediately give advice, judge, or try to “fix” things.
- Show empathy in everyday situations, be interested and fully present.
- Don’t wait to be asked – offer help. Ask what would help.
- Avoid assumptions. If something puzzles you, ask for clarification.
- Don’t promise more than you can keep. Trust is built through actions.
- Show they’re not alone. Make it clear nobody must face a challenging day by themselves.
Care Pathway
The care pathway illustrates a real-life story of one anonymous individual, showing the progression from the initial need for support to the present moment. The realistic timeline presents the steps that have taken place, while the ideal timeline serves as a comparison, representing a potential care pathway that could be achieved with earlier recognition of support needs.
The real care pathway has required the involvement of many different professionals and countless hours of work – not to mention the time spent by parents. The realistic care pathway diagram shows the number of professional meetings and specialist appointments that have occurred so far, while the ideal number of appointments is also presented for comparison. The professionals included in the charts are: psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, special education teachers, social workers, nurses, and school principals.
The average cost of a single professional meeting is estimated at approximately €150 per hour.
Partners
We have received pro bono support and assistance from many professionals and partner organizations. Among them are Mainostoimisto Aate, Scala Collection, Oma Säästöpankki Oyj, Sanavalmis Communication Services (Niina Mäenpää), Toimistopalvelu Leona Oy (Mirka Huhtanen), and Viestintätoimisto Tulostie (Sami Huhtala).
