Hi, my name is Sophia Fuks. I am neurody divergent and I would like to tell you how to understand neurodiversity and why we should support it. First of all, a lot of you guys may be asking, "Oh, Sophia, what on earth is neurodeiversity?" Well, let me explain.Neurode diversity is defined as the concept that not all brains are the same and that we all have different ways of thinking. Adding on to that, a person who is neurode divergent has different brain wiring. So think someone with ADHD, autism, Tourette's ...

Healthcare Disparities & Advocacy - The healthcare industry needs to recognize and address the unique needs of patients with disabilities to avoid misinformed decisions and improve quality of care [3][7][8] - Negative assumptions about patients with disabilities can affect their care, as evidenced by historical eugenics movements and contemporary rationing plans [10][11] - Documenting disability in medical charts is crucial for healthcare organizations to identify gaps, provide necessary supports (accommodations), and improve care quality [15][16][17] - A study involving 53 primary care clinics in Colorado showed that asking patients about disability-related accommodation needs is feasible and doesn't cause patient complaints [17][18] - The story of "David" highlights the potential for medical teams to misunderstand the value and contributions of patients with disabilities, leading to suboptimal care decisions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][12][13][14][15][20][21][22] Disability Statistics & Awareness - Approximately 27% of adults in the United States have a disability, highlighting the prevalence and importance of addressing their needs [9] - People with disabilities are often described as the "invisible minority," indicating a lack of recognition of their value and contributions [9]