Neurodivergent Rebel

Lyric Rivera is multiply NeuroDivergent, self-advocate, who runs the internationally recognized NeuroDivergent Rebel blog.

Lyric is also the Owner of NeuroDivergent Consulting, and author of the best-selling business ethics book, Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising, praised in Forbes as “an excellent ‘how to manual’ based on lived experience and professional competence.”

Lyric Rivera, holding up a purple book with a pink brain on the cover (Workplace NeuroDiversity Rising) smiling from behind it.

The NeuroDivergent Rebel was started in the fall of 2016, as a way to introduce people unfamiliar with the concept of Neurodiversity to this new way of seeing neurological difference. The blog, which is sometimes released in written format and sometimes as a YouTube video, explores the ideology of Neurodiversity and the creative expressions of Autistic people. Rivera’s blog pushes for acceptance of neurological difference and respect for the autonomy of NeuroDivergent people.

Lyric has a diverse business background, and the past, Lyric has successfully worked to help organizations of all sizes but will admit to having a soft spot for startups and small businesses. Their core focuses have included roles in leadership, marketing, project management, operations, employee relations (recruiting, hiring, and retention), and administration.

Neurodivergent Consulting is a consulting agency that works with businesses “to create new policies that work to attract and increase tenure of current and future neurodivergent employees”. The philosophy of Neurodivergent Consulting is to advocate for accessible workplaces where neurodivergent employees will be able to fully implement their unique talents and fresh perspectives.

Rivera is also known as the creator of the #AskingAutistics hashtag, which is most often accompanied by a short question about common Autistic experiences. These simple questions prompt open-ended responses that autistic people can easily chime in with, and invites participants to engage each other in conversations related to the topic. This simple hashtag connects both NeuroDivergent & neurotypical people who would not otherwise have a reason to engage with each other, and fosters collective understanding of the Autistic experience.

In Lyric’s words:

I’m NeuroDivergent (Autistic and also ADHD), but I did not know this fact for the first 29 years of my life, which had a devastating impact on me.

For the first 29 years of my life, I did not know myself (and only projected outwardly what I thought others wanted me to be), keeping others at a distance and preventing them from getting to know the real me.

I was misunderstood by and felt inferior to, those around me, who often scolded me for struggling with things they found easy. Being isolated put me in a dark mental space.

Not understanding my own mind meant I was unable to properly care for myself, leading my physical health to decline. When I was finally diagnosed Autistic, a few months before my 30th birthday, I had reached a crisis point (thanks to a lifetime of mirroring and trying to emulate people with brains unlike mine), and neglecting my needs as a multiply-NeuroDivergent Person.

Rock bottom, misunderstood, isolated, alone. In mental and physical decline, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on living. Then, something happened: I found out I was NeuroDivergent and started viewing myself through the NeuroDiversity Paradigm, and my life changed.

Suddenly, I didn’t see myself as an “inferior version” of the people around me. My mind was different, and that was okay.

For the first time in my life (at least that I can remember), I went from hating myself to having compassion for myself (even my struggles and weaknesses) and eventually even having pride in (and liking, maybe even loving) myself.

Immediately, I realized that my life was better because of my newfound understanding of NeuroDiversity and that my life (and the lives of all NeuroDivergent People) could be even better if the rest of the world understood and embraced the NeuroDiversity model (instead of the pathological one currently used).

Coming to this realization after being diagnosed Autistic in adulthood is how my purpose (educating people on Autism, NeuroDiversity, and Neuro-Inclusion) found me.

I’m passionate about promoting NeuroDiversity and Neuro-Inclusion in all types of spaces, but most often work with employers who want to treat their employees better.

Neuro-inclusion is a concept that extends beyond your NeuroDivergent team members; it’s about fostering an inclusive environment for EVERYONE, regardless of their cognitive makeup.

Embracing diverse, supportive, and inclusive teams is not just a moral imperative, but also a smart business move. It leads to a more engaged, effective, and productive workforce, ultimately driving business success.

As a consultant, I’ve successfully helped organizations of all shapes and sizes to create a more welcoming environment for NeuroDivergent (and ALL team members).

Services

Facilitation & Training – Live and on-demand virtual options available (example 1, example 2, example 3)
Neuro-Inclusion & Queer Inclusion Consulting
Writing – Blogs & Articles (example 1, example 2, example 3)
Speaking & Appearances (example 1, example 2, example 3)
NeuroDivergent & Queer Inclusion Related Branding & Sensitivity Readings (for books, blogs, documents, and publications)