At the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), we believe in kindness, respect, honesty, courage, and equality. These values guide how we speak, listen, and respond — even when opinions differ.
We know there are areas where we, as a global community, will not agree:
- We will not support eugenics.
- We will not support cures aimed at erasing who we are.
- We will not support conversion practices that try to change neurominorities into something else.
- On all other matters, we welcome dialogue, diversity of thought, and different perspectives. Unity does not mean sameness. It means walking different paths toward the same horizon: equality and belonging for all neurotypes.
Below are ten kind, inclusive responses that anyone ican use to help keep the door open, build bridges, and reinforce inclusion whenever someone speaks in a way that risks dividing or othering.
Ten Kind & Inclusive Responses
1. On belonging
“Everyone belongs. Inclusion enriches us all.”
2. On difference
“Different doesn’t mean less. Different means human.”
3. On strength in diversity
“Neurodiversity is part of human diversity. Every mind matters.”
4. On listening across divides
“I hear your perspective, even if I see things differently. Kindness helps us keep the door open for understanding.”
5. On dignity
“Every person deserves respect, whatever their neurotype, culture, or opinion.”
6. On unity
“We may not always agree, but we are stronger when we walk forward together.”
7. On building trust
“Kindness costs nothing, but it changes everything. Let’s build each other up.”
8. On shared humanity
“We may experience the world differently, but we share the same human worth.”
9. On dialogue
“Inclusion means making space for many voices — not one way of thinking.”
10. On hope
“A society that values all minds is a stronger, more resilient one.”
Why This Matters
Responding with kindness and inclusion does not mean ignoring harm, and it does not mean giving up principles. It means standing firm in dignity while modelling the inclusive world we want to see.
Every time we answer with kindness, we remind people of the bigger truth: that equality and belonging are not negotiable, but division and exclusion are.
This is how we lead as ION: by showing that inclusion is possible, even in disagreement.
