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Thinking differently about fungi - Neurodivergence in field mycology
By Iona Fraser
The idea that these two seemingly disparate things are connected will not be news to many of you. As a fungi gazer and field mycologist (amateur, teaching or surveying) of 16 years, it certainly wasn’t news to me – even before I was diagnosed with both ASD (autism) and ADHD myself. It is much discussed in the online amateur community, and I was unsurprised - on attending a recent Annual Scientific Meeting with the British Mycological Society - to find myself in conversation over drinks with a group of the incredible PhD students there, who told me it was certainly more widely applicable! However, despite this informal acknowledgement, it is not widely or openly discussed in a way that is either visible, or asking about the benefits of this connection, or what we can do to support or encourage it. So please think of this blog as a beginning to that conversation. I would love to see it ripple out, and to hear what others think!
For those less familiar with the subject matter, Neurodivergence is a word we use to describe neurology which is different from what is considered typical. So somebody whose neurology is broadly as expected and similar to the majority is *neurotypical*, somebody whose neurology is somehow different (most often used when discussing autism and ADHD, but can include dyslexia, OCD, Tourette’s, some psychiatric conditions and many more – depending which definition you use) is *neurodivergent* - and Neurodiversity refers to the whole range of possibilities included in both of these terms. For the purposes of this article, I am using it mostly to mean Autistic and ADHD, but a lot of what I say will be relevant to other conditions!
Neurodivergence doesn’t have a particular look, and as more is understood about how autism and ADHD particularly can present very differently in people from different demographics, we are finding that many people are being diagnosed much later in life, having struggled with trying to fit into a society not designed for them, and being told they were failing at a lot of things, for most of their lives. Common traits of Neurodivergence can include:
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Communication differences
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Sensory processing differences
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Monotropic thought (With SIAs or Special Interests being particularly relevant)
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Social differences
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Executive dysfunction
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Restricted & Repetitive Behaviours (RRBs)
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Masking
The result of trying to juggle those differences in settings that haven’t considered them when setting expectations (schools, work environments, social situations etc), is for very many, extreme overwhelm leading to an array of mental health conditions and eventual burnout. Warning that the next paragraph is difficult reading.
As many as 80% of autistic adults also have a co-morbid mental health condition, compared to 1 in 6 (16%-ish) of the general population, and almost all mental health conditions are more common in autistic people, but particularly anxiety disorders and depression. The stats for ADHD aren’t much better - adults with ADHD are almost 3 times more likely to experience depression than adults without ADHD, and it is often co-morbid with other psychopathologies including mood or anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. Rates of suicide and suicidal ideation are also much higher in those who are neurodivergent, with suicide the second listed cause of death for autistic people.
Add to that an increased likelihood of substance misuse, addiction, abuse… It is clear that addressing neurodivergent mental health needs to be a priority!
Clearly, we need to be addressing this and finding ways to support people *before* crisis point is reached, and this is where field mycology (and other similar disciplines) come in.
We know that being out in nature, exercising, being mindful etc can help mental health – but the ways that this works for neurotypicals (and therefore most suggestions and traditional offerings) often don't work at all for us, because we are fundamentally different.
Barriers to engaging include: demand avoidance; a need to be engaged – to *want* to go out; need for activities to have tangible purpose; distaste for traditional ‘mindfulness’ offerings; change and ‘newness’ being difficult; executive dysfunction affecting planning and implementing plans; struggles with transitions; anxiety - and much more.
Anecdotally, we have found that every neurodivergent person we have spoken to who *is* engaging with nature as a strategy to improve mental health has found it successful to some degree, with many reporting that it is life changing. This WORKS – if we can do it, and many neurodivergent traits work to our advantage!
Many neurodivergents have special interests and/or a tendency to hyperfocus. If we can engage with that, not only does it mean that suddenly we desperately want to do the things that are good for our mental health, but special interests themselves and support in engaging in them, have been found to be hugely beneficial for Autistic mental health, and also allow us to build community and socialise in ways that work for us.
This is also massively beneficial to mycology as a discipline! Funding for field mycology is extremely limited, even in big organisations, and there are very few paid jobs in the field. We are highly reliant on talented amateurs who are engaging in this work because they love it – and neurodivergents have multiple traits that often translate to real myco-talent!
A strong tendency toward structured thinking and categorisation, pattern recognition, ‘repetitive behaviours’, hyperfocus, innovative/out-of-the-box thinking, and a deep desire to learn *everything* about the chosen subject – all of these and more equal incredible potential, if we are included and have access to resources to develop.
So how can we encourage and support this obviously mutually beneficial connection?
It starts with a desire to do that (if you organise events or outreach in this field please do get in touch, we at Petrichor have been working on this extensively and can at the very least direct you to resources), but the best way I could think of to express this concisely was this:
Extend the Invitation.
No matter what somebody’s background or entry point, invite them to do and see more without judgement. Be explicit in your inclusion of neurodivergent people (we often joke in my circles that we are like vampires – if I am not sure whether I am invited and welcome, I can’t come!), research what adjustments would make your groups/events etc easier for neurodivergent people to engage with - from maps of venues, to extra info about potential sensory triggers, to making sure information is available in multiple formats. And if in doubt (or not) - ask people what would make it easier for them!
We have an opportunity to make a huge difference to the mental health and wellbeing of a huge number of people (the BMS Facebook Group alone has over 62,000 members), and mycology as a discipline will only benefit from our doing so…
How wonderful is that?!
