Let's Recognize Neurodiversity Week

March 21, 2024

Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs from March 18–24. It celebrates and highlights the challenges, stereotypes, and misconceptions about neurological differences.

Neurodiversity is often used as an umbrella term to describe alternative thinking styles such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD.

Meet Dion Litavniks

Insurance Advisor, Western Coast Insurance Services Mill Bay

Q. What does Neurodiversity Week mean to you?
It means creating awareness of the uniqueness of each individual and understanding and accepting how to support them on their journey. Growing up in the 70s, individuals were labeled in groups such as hyperactive, retarded, and Downs syndrome.

You just accepted it and moved on with your life. My medical condition became apparent about 11 years ago, and since then, I’ve had to accept the changes in my body and brain. As well as how people reacted or overreacted, even support from the employer has been very challenging.

The greatest gift I have received is the understanding, awareness, and empathy I now have for others. Over the course of a day, I look at some individuals and think, what is your secret?

Well, it is time it should not be a secret! Neurodiversity Celebration Week helps inform and educate society so we can be unified.

Q. What inspired you to join the Access-Ability Employees Network and Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG)?

I have the personal experience of living with non-visible disability and discrimination from lack of understanding. My grandson has Asperger’s syndrome, and I have experienced the struggle my daughter has had with the school system, physicians, and lack of support workers.

I am hoping to make a change in my workplace by having some signage created for the offices. To support the fact that some disabilities are not obvious, so be kind and do not judge.

Q. What do you hope to achieve through your involvement with the Employee Resource Group?

As I mentioned, I would like signage and place cards created for our offices that will create awareness for visible and nonvisible disabilities.

Q: What do you feel are the greatest opportunities for education/awareness related to Neurodiversity?

Bringing up the conversation at work, school, sports, and social media. Employers invite team members to disclose their disability so they can provide support.

So many global businesses, universities, employment recruiters, community agencies, service providers, support groups, etc., are available. We need to be a helping hand for people to access this information. We have also started with our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) council and ERG (Employee Resource Group). As we grow, so will our exposure.