Neurodivergence Is Not Defiance: The Pathologizing of Nonlinear Minds in Communities of Color

What if the way your brain works was never the problem—but the way it’s been misunderstood?

In Episode 11 of Beyond the Spot, Tracy Gantlin-Monroy names the racialized misdiagnosis, mislabeling, and masking of neurodivergent people—especially in Black, Brown, and immigrant communities. From ADHD to autism and everything in between, this episode explores how our brilliance was pathologized in systems designed for compliance, not care.

Tracy breaks down the history of neurodivergence, the whitewashing of diagnostic criteria, and the harm of labeling nonlinear minds as "defiant." Through the liberatory lens of Brainspotting, she offers a new paradigm—one where difference is data, not disorder.

If you’ve ever been called “too much,” “hard to reach,” or “not trying hard enough,” this episode is your invitation to stop apologizing for your rhythm—and start reclaiming your design.