Unmasking Neurodivergent Filipinx-American Identities
Written by Melissa Nefalar, LMFT, PMH-C
Co-Leaders, Therapin*y Kapwa Network San Diego Chapter
“For the Filipinos in the Philippines, the prevalence is somewhere between 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 people. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) statistics are approximately 7% among the Filipino community.”
Neurodivergence in simple terms, is a difference in how brains process information from a neurotypical profile. Some are slower processors, some lack social cues/skills, some are highly distractible, some are highly sensitive to stimuli (light, sound, etc) and some are highly attune to observing others and fine details. In the greater population, Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) in children has been diagnosed in 1 in 26 children. For the Filipinos in the Philippines, the prevalence is somewhere between 1 in 100 to 1 in 500 people. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) statistics are approximately 7% among the Filipino community. In both cases, it is highly likely the numbers are underreported in the Filipino population due to shame, stigma, lack of awareness, or lack of resources.
Why is this important?
We can make better sense of things when we are using the correct “lens”. Understanding the challenges that neurodivergent folks contend with on a daily basis can help family members, friends, and other support people to better understand how to support a neurodivergent person’s needs. With autism being a spectrum disorder, it helps us to recognize that there is no ONE way that a person with autism looks and no one way they can get their needs met. ADHD also has many different presentations with some being more hyperactive in their behavior, some less focused, or others who contend with both.
Services including therapy and other support resources should really be tailored to support the neurodivergent person. Many women especially tend to be high masking and “fit in” with society, and are diagnosed or self-diagnose later on in their adult life. For more information, check out the resources below and attend Therapin*y San Diego Chapter’s virtual presentation on psychological evaluations for the neurodiverse (ADHD, Autism) on Monday, November 18th at 6pm PT. Register by emailing sandiegokapwanetwork@drtherapinay.com
Some resources that may help
Sources: CDC, Special Olympics Pilipinas
