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- Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity
A cancer diagnosis and its treatment are challenging for anyone.
However, if you are neurodivergent and have been diagnosed with cancer it can make aspects of managing a diagnosis and treatment especially difficult. Getting the right support is so important please ask your healthcare professionals for advice.
The link below will take you to the Macmillan site for further information and support links.
Neurodiversity and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support
What it means to be neurodivern
Neurodivergence may mean that you think, move, and process information, or communicate in different ways to those who are described as neurotypical.
Types of neurodivergence may include:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- (ADHD)
- Autism
- Dyscalculia
- Dyslexia
- You may have a combination of the above.
Information and support sources
It is important that your teams know how to support you, sharing with them if you can the things you find difficult or ways, they can help. For example, receiving information prior to appointments so you can be prepared, or you may find it easier to get information in other forms. It can be especially hard to understand and remember everything someone is telling you. Please remember you can ask for these to be repeated or told to you in a different way that will help you as an individual.
Written resources to take home can make it easier to understand and process complex medical information at your own pace. A lot of information is now available in different forms, and also in easy read versions if this will help. Your healthcare teams may also be able to access you written information that is more tailored to people with a neurodiversity. So please ask if this isn’t offered. The link below provides further information.
Support to understand cancer information | Macmillan Cancer Support
Your healthcare professionals will have had neurodiversity awareness training updates as part of their mandatory training. There is also in many care sectors specialist teams who can advise and support staff and you. Alongside that you may have a Universal Health Passport already in place so share this with your teams. If not, you may be offered one. The Universal Health Passport is a new initiative designed to improve healthcare communication and support for patients with a neurodiversity so care can be tailored to your needs. Understanding is important, so ask the questions you need. You do not need to use medical words. Use the words you usually say.
Sunflower lanyards
You may or may not be aware of the sunflower lanyard scheme this aims to help people with non-visible disabilities get support in public places. Some people have medical conditions or disabilities that are not easy to see. They may wear a green lanyard, wristband, or badge. This badge has a sunflower design. Showing you may have a hidden condition and may need extra support. Sunflower lanyards are not recognised everywhere so be mindful of this when out and about.
How to obtain a lanyard
Some organisations provide sunflower lanyards for free. Or you can buy them from hiddendisabilitiesstore.com
Help with how you are feeling emotionally.
There is no right or wrong way to feel. You will have a variety of feelings this is common amongst everyone diagnosed with cancer. Add these then to your neurodiversity, and they can sometimes feel overwhelming as you try to process these feelings and stresses in your life. Remember, everyone’s experience is unique. Try to be patient with yourself. There is help available if you are struggling.
You may for instance find the idea of talking about cancer upsetting or uncomfortable. But talking to someone about how you feel can help you cope with your emotions, feel more in control and less alone.
- Things you can try include;
Focus on your wellbeing and what coping strategies work best for you. - To help you manage day to day, focus on what coping strategies work best for you.
- Be open with your healthcare team, they can help provide information about available support and tailor care to your individual needs as much as possible.
Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Advisers can provide emotional support and practical information. - Seek out support networks or communities specifically for neurodivergent people living with cancer. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can give emotional support and practical advice.
- Use our Online Community forums to talk to others with lived experience of cancer.