Understanding Neurodiversity and the Challenges Faced by Queer Individuals
Growing up queer and neurodivergent, Phatcharacom Nopacoh has always struggled with external stimuli such as light, sound, and touch. These triggers make it difficult for them to navigate daily life. However, their neurodiverse conditions often go unnoticed or misunderstood.
“I am good at masking, but at the expense of myself,” they said. This constant effort to appear “normal” leaves them drained and in need of time to recharge. Any interruption can cause significant distress. At school, they had a structured schedule, but in the workplace, where interruptions are frequent, their autism becomes more apparent. Socializing takes a toll, and without the ability to take time off, they feel increasingly anxious, obsessive-compulsive, and burnt out.
The Young Pride Foundation recently held a talk titled “Neurodivergent: Not Crazy, Just Courageously Different” as part of the Berk-Baan Fest 2025 at Ruen Roi Chanam. The event provided a platform for neurodiverse youth to come together and share their experiences.
Phatcharacom, who identifies as non-binary, explained how their neurodiversity affects personal relationships. For instance, when overwhelmed, they may not feel like hugging a partner, which can lead to feelings of being slighted. Similarly, during conversations with friends, they may not feel like talking, which is often misinterpreted as a lack of empathy.
“Socialising causes a lot of stress. I try so hard to avoid being seen as weird and inconsiderate. That is why I prefer texting because it allows me time to process,” they said.
While around 1.6 million individuals in Thailand identify as gender-diverse, the number of those with neurodiverse conditions remains unknown. Neurodiversity refers to different thinking styles that affect how individuals interact with the world around them. It includes conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and more. Neurodivergent individuals think and communicate differently from neurotypical people.
Kamonchanok Maneephairojn, who identifies as non-binary with ADHD and autism, often blends in, making it difficult for others to recognize their struggles. They feel overwhelmed when touched by family members and friends and do not understand non-literal expressions such as idioms and sarcasm. Societal pressure on women to perform traditional roles often leads them to mask their neurodiverse traits.
“It was not until my 20s that I sought treatment for depression and bipolar disorder and was diagnosed with autism,” they said.
Kamonchanok shared that they have been perceived as “weird” their entire life. Their “stimming” behavior, which involves movements like tapping, rocking, or repeating words and sounds, is often misunderstood. While common among neurodivergent individuals, stimming is not exclusive to them, as neurotypical individuals also exhibit similar behaviors.
“At work, I avoided eye contact with my boss to improve focus. I also spun my body to boost creativity. But it is perceived to be impolite and unprofessional,” they said.
Neurodiversity can also leave physical marks on the body. Chanchagorn Weerawat, who identifies as a transman, recounted how family expectations caused distress. “In those days, I knew I was a transman, but pretended to be a girl. Growing anxiety led to nail biting and hair pulling,” he said. In adult years, toxic work environments added to his stress. During an appointment for hormone treatment, Chanchagorn shared suicidal thoughts with a doctor.
“I was immediately sent to an emergency department. Now, I am getting better,” he said.
Riddy Sonsomsuk, who identifies as a neurodivergent transman, reacts quickly to stimuli, which makes him feel overworked. At 14, he sought medical treatment for depression and was diagnosed with ADHD. Its side effect is hyperfixation, where he can become so absorbed in a project that he forgets everything else. His gender identity does not align with his sex at birth.
“I never related to my genitals. I remember crying when forced to wear a skirt to a relative’s wedding,” he said.
Riddy said a doctor prescribed only antidepressants because he was not affected by ADHD. However, when he was studying in the UK, a bout of depression struck him because he stopped taking hormones for three months and menstruated. A doctor cautioned against taking extra doses of antidepressants, which caused him to feel emotionally numb and unable to overcome depression.
“It is liberating to know that drugs should be used to help, not control me. I have stopped taking them for a while. But now, I am feeling overloaded and may have to take them again. It is up and down. I am learning to live with it and reach out for support, which is difficult for an independent transman with ADHD like me. But I really feel seen and heard to like-minded friends,” he said.
Phatcharacom said their non-conforming identity makes it easier to embrace diversity. “I am non-binary, transmasculine and pansexual. I am self-absorbed and therefore introspect everything about myself, including gender and sexual preference,” they said.
Autistic individuals were once thought to be uninterested in romantic relationships. Recent studies challenge this belief, but evidence is still limited. New research by the University of Cambridge shows that autistic individuals are more likely to identify with a wide range of sexual orientations than non-autistic counterparts.
“Neurodiversity is hardly discussed in public,” said Riddy, a policy advocacy consultant for Young Pride Foundation, a youth-led initiative that champions gender equality. “People think we are weird and abnormal. That is why I organised this event to share our lived experiences.”
Riddy said he wants to know whether there are any neurodivergent individuals in the gender-diverse community because “there is a huge data gap. Neurodiverse conditions are largely overlooked,” he said.
When asked about policy recommendations, Riddy suggested that schools and media should discuss neurodiversity more widely. Employers should also make their workplaces more neurodiverse-friendly, for example, by accommodating sensory needs, using clear communication styles, and giving advance notice for any changes. Health service providers should collect data on neurodiversity across all demographic groups.
“Lack of data makes it difficult to assess the situation,” he added.