Why I started Neurodiverse Network!
Leann FirestoneFrom Identification to Advocacy!
After discovering at 30 years old that I was autistic (learning I had been misdiagnosed my whole life), I quickly realized there was no active community for me to turn to. Diving deeper into the systems and learning more about Neurodivergent Individuals, I realized there is very little medical and state support for someone like me. From my own need for connection and resources, I found other later-diagnosed Autistic adults internationally through Facebook groups. The online community was a huge help at a critical time, and I realized that, yes, this is what I need to build LOCALLY! I need to help people like myself and caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids to find and connect with each other. We must share our experiences and feel accepted and understood in a safe space. I started tiny support groups through Facebook, which are now growing daily with hundreds of members! When this all launched, it was 2022, and many people were not comfortable meeting in person yet. As we came further from the pandemic isolation, we would grow the need for connection again. This resource needed to develop more significantly than through the web. The problem was I didn’t know what I was doing and/or how to start. So, let’s take it back and learn a bit about the path that led me here!
I’ve always been a serial entrepreneur. Since I was a young child and learned what a business was, my brain has been finding ways to start or fix it! My experience spans many different fields. I went to cosmetology school before college, and I still work in the Hair industry part-time. Most of my current clients are neurodivergent. I love helping kids who struggle to cope with sensory aversions or fears of haircuts! While I was working as a young stylist, I earned an associate’s degree in Marketing/Management. I have held positions that specifically utilized that education, such as bridal services coordinator and social media affiliate. Over the past 13 years, I used these skills to maintain my Hair Stylist social media page. This has translated well to managing the social media presence for Neurodiverse Network and my current growth as an Autistic Advocate.
I have a massive drive for the community. When I had my daughter in 2016, I had no local mom friends–I had to start from scratch. I had postpartum depression and tons of anxiety having a newborn at home. So, I found local mom communities, started support groups, and facilitated events and meetings–I unknowingly created this fantastic support system that carried me through a difficult time. I want to make that kind of supportive community again, this time for Neurodivergent people and their families. I want us to have people to turn to, people who understand and support us. I want parents to have a place to connect with each other and children to have a safe space to just BE THEMSELVES.
The long road that led me to this point is what makes my non-profit so unique! I am coming at this from a place of understanding and unity. Neurodivergent adults diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, etc. have little to NO support. The only way we will find it locally is if we create it! In 2022, with passion in my heart and fear in my eyes, I took the steps to get my non-profit legalized and jumped right in. I started hosting monthly adult support groups for Neurodivergent Adults and another for Parents/Caregivers. Over the past year, with the help of other volunteers, we have added a variety of monthly activities and have hosted many inclusive events.
The struggle we are facing now is that most people in our community need familiarity and sensory regulation to be comfortable. The parents need a safe environment with childcare and social opportunities for their families. Having our events at multiple locations limits our control of adaptations and accommodations. To help resolve this, we are working on grant writing and fundraising to open a Local Community Center for Neurodivergent People! We don’t want to stop there—our team has plans to advocate, educate, create an inclusive network, community outreach, private grants, and more! We are currently looking for active, passionate volunteers to help carry our Non-profit to the next level~ and give us our safe place!
We are currently looking for active, passionate volunteers to help carry our Non-profit to the next level~ and give us our safe place!
Please contact leann@ndnet.org to get involved today!!!
*Below is an image I created to show a proposed plan of what our center could look like, I also attached a mach schedule to demonstrate our programs! Please read this document to understand our project.
