Sign the Friendship Pledge!
A Friend of Forrest is someone who helps the journey of navigating life be more fulfilling and less isolating for neurodivergent people, offering them not just companionship but a true sense of validation, community, and allyship.
Neurodivergent people have one or more conditions, such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental illness, dementia, or brain injuries. These conditions cause their behaviors, thoughts, sensations, and ways of communicating and learning to differ from what is expected or considered “neurotypical.” These differences are not wrong; they are simply part of the human existence.
AS A FRIEND OF FORREST, I PLEDGE TO BE:
NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING:
- I embrace the diversity of human brains, celebrating neurodivergence as a natural and valuable difference.
- I recognize that each neurodivergent person is unique, with diverse social skills, communication styles, and motor, perception, and sensory experiences. I’m committed to understanding these differences to better support and connect with our neurodiverse world.
- I believe that neurodivergent people enrich our world with their creative, unique, and brilliant perspectives.
CURIOUS, NOT JUDGEMENTAL:
- I understand that “different” does not mean “less.” I assume that neurodivergent people are competent, intelligent, passionate, and capable.
- I am eager to learn about the diverse presentations and needs of neurodivergent people, knowing that understanding fosters their accessibility in the world and a builds a connection that benefits us both.
ACCEPTING:
- I approach every interaction with warmth and compassion, acknowledging that neurodivergent people deserve respect and dignity.
- I recognize that neurodivergent behaviors that can seem unusual often serve as a special interest or vital coping mechanism resulting from underlying challenges and I pledge to view them with empathy.
Active:
- I show love and support for neurodivergent people by embracing their communication styles, preferences, and interests.
- I take the time to forge genuine, non-patronizing connections with my neurodivergent friends that celebrates our similarities and differences.
- I reflect on my own interactions with my neurodivergent acquaintances and learn from those experiences to avoid misunderstandings.
INCLUSIVE:
- I am willing to provide neurodivergent people with a safe space to be themselves, to share their thoughts and feelings without judgement, and feel accepted and valued for who they are.
- I strive to create an inclusive world by championing the voices of those often excluded. I actively welcome neurodivergent people and their families into my community.
- I seek to remove barriers that keep neurodivergent people from fully participating and feeling a sense of belonging in my community.
AN ALLY:
- I am committed to learning more about neurodiversity to support to my neurodivergent friends, especially during moments of overwhelm or distress.
- I stand against bullying and discrimination of neurodivergent people using my voice to uplift those who feel unheard, unseen, or treated unjustly.
- As a parent and/or adult community member, I acknowledge my role in shaping my/our children’s perceptions of and interactions with disabled people. I model kindness, understanding, and appreciation for neurodiversity.
Parents & caregivers, we’ve made a special PDF guide to help you walk through the Pledge with your child. Download here: The Friendship Pledge – A Guide For Grownups
A Friend of Forrest makes life more enjoyable and less lonely for our neurodivergent friends. Being a Friend of Forrest means appreciating how our neurodivergent people experience the world differently and being eager to learn and understand how to be friendly, helpful, and inclusive members of our neurodiverse communities.
People who are neurodivergent, like those with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or mental
health challenges, think, feel, learn, and communicate in different ways. Their
brains are wired differently, which gives them a unique view of the world. This
means their behavior might not always seem “typical,” but that doesn’t make it
wrong. Embracing neurodiversity helps us learn from one another and makes our world
stronger.
AS A FRIEND OF FORREST, I PLEDGE TO BE:
NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING:
- I understand that everyone’s brain works differently, and I think being neurodivergent is a special and important part of who people are.
- I know that each neurodivergent person is different because they have their own ways of communicating, feeling, moving, and looking at the world. I want to understand these differences so that my friends feel comfortable being themselves with me.
- I believe that neurodivergent people make our world better with their interesting ideas and talents and we should value and not try to change them. I believe that our differences can make our friendships stronger and our lives more interesting!
CURIOUS, NOT JUDGEMENTAL:
- I know that being “different” doesn’t mean that someone is “less.” I believe that my neurodivergent friends are smart, capable, and fun.
- I want to learn about the different ways neurodivergent people experience the world and what makes them either thrive or struggle.
- I know learning about my neurodivergent friends helps me connect with them and creates a better friendship for us both.
ACCEPTING:
- I treat neurodivergent people with warmth and compassion because everyone deserves respect and kindness.
- I recognize that sometimes my neurodivergent friends might behave in ways that seem unusual, but I understand that they’re just being themselves or possibly coping with the challenges they face.
- I will be patient and look at my friend’s behaviors with empathy, knowing that these differences are an important part of who they are.
Active:
- I will show love and support to my neurodivergent friends by embracing the ways they like to communicate and play.
- I will build real friendships with my neurodivergent friends that celebrate what makes us alike and different.
- I will reflect on how I talk and play with my neurodivergent friends to help us avoid confusion and better understand each other.
INCLUSIVE:
- I will be a safe place for my neurodivergent friends where they can be themselves, share their thoughts and feelings without being judged, and feel accepted and valued just as they are.
- I will be an includer, especially toward those who are sometimes left out, like my neurodivergent friends because everyone deserves a space where they can be themselves and feel valued.
- I will welcome neurodivergent people and their families into my friend groups and community and try to solve the problems that make it hard for them to feel like they belong.
AN ALLY:
- I will model kindness and inclusivity so my neurodivergent friends feel like they belong and can be themselves.
- I will keep learning about neurodiversity so I can help my neurodivergent friends feel supported, especially when they feel upset or overwhelmed.
- I will stand up against bullying and unfair behavior toward neurodivergent people and help those who feel overlooked, misunderstood, or treated badly.
- I know that the more we all learn about and appreciate the many different types of human brains and their experiences in the world, the better we all will be.
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