Neurodiversity and Intersectionality: Understanding Overlapping Identities
Neurodiversity does not exist in isolation.
Every neurodivergent person also has other identities — such as race, gender, sexuality, class, culture, and disability — and these identities shape how they are understood, supported, or excluded.
Intersectionality is a way of understanding how these different aspects of identity overlap and interact, often increasing barriers for some people while reducing them for others.
Why Intersectionality Matters in Neurodiversity
Two people can have the same neurodivergent traits but very different experiences of:
Diagnosis
Support
Education
Healthcare
Employment
Safety and acceptance
This isn’t about individual effort — it’s about how systems respond differently to different people.
How Identity Affects Neurodivergent Experience
Race and Ethnicity
Racialised and ethnically marginalised people are often:
Less likely to be referred for assessment
More likely to be misdiagnosed
Viewed through stereotypes rather than needs
Disciplined instead of supported
Autistic or ADHD traits may be interpreted as:
Behavioural problems
Defiance
Poor parenting
Cultural differences
This leads to significant underdiagnosis and lack of support.
Gender and Sex
Historically, diagnostic criteria were based on white boys.
As a result:
Girls and women are often missed
Masking is mistaken for coping
Emotional distress is mislabelled as anxiety or personality issues
Many women and non-binary people are only diagnosed in adulthood — often after burnout.
Sexuality and Gender Identity
Neurodivergent people are more likely to identify as:
LGBTQIA+
Gender-diverse or non-binary
Identifying in this way has been shown to potentially increase risk of:
Social isolation
Mental health challenges
Dscrimination
Support systems that aren’t inclusive of queer and trans identities can feel unsafe or inaccessible.
Class and Socioeconomic Status
Access to diagnosis and support often depends on:
Financial resources
Time off work
Advocacy skills
Educational background
People with fewer resources may:
Wait longer for diagnosis
Rely on private pathways they can’t afford
Miss out on workplace or educational adjustments
This creates inequality within neurodivergent communities.
Disability and Health
Neurodivergence often co-exists with:
Physical disabilities
Chronic illness
Mental health conditions
These overlapping needs can:
Complicate diagnosis
Increase fatigue and burnout
Lead to fragmented or inadequate care
People with multiple disabilities are often expected to “prioritise” one — which rarely reflects reality.
Why Some People Are Underdiagnosed
Underdiagnosis happens when systems:
Rely on narrow stereotypes
Expect people to “look autistic” or “act ADHD”
Fail to account for masking
Don’t consider cultural or gender differences
Those most likely to be underdiagnosed include:
Women and girls
People of colour
LGBTQIA+ people
People with lower incomes
People with additional disabilities
Late diagnosis is not a personal failure — it’s a systemic one.
Creating Truly Inclusive Spaces
Inclusive spaces don’t assume one “neurodivergent experience.”
They:
Listen to lived experience
Avoid stereotypes
Ask rather than assume
Build flexibility into systems
Centre accessibility from the start
What Inclusion Looks Like in Practice
Multiple ways to communicate and participate
Sensory-friendly environments
Clear expectations and structure
Respect for pronouns, names, and identities
Financial and practical accessibility
Safety for people to be themselves
Inclusion benefits everyone — not just those who need the most support.
A Final Thought
Neurodiversity is not one story.
When we centre intersectionality, we move closer to a world where:
Fewer people are missed
Support reaches those who need it most
Difference is understood in context, not isolation