On loan, created by Crystal Dayvolt, IG @sewgenerouslystudio)

60x51in, quilter’s cotton (machine-pieced and quilted), created in 2023, NFS

This is the only quilt in this exhibit that is not created by Cora and it is on loan from a fellow therapist & quilter, who created it as an interpretation of her own personal experience of neurodivergence.  Neurodivergence refers to symptoms or traits of someone whose brain processes information in a way that is not typical of most (neurotypical) individuals. Some diagnoses include autism spectrum conditions, ADHD, Dyslexia, and many others.

What to look for:  “The Neurodivergent pattern [and quilt] was inspired from receiving a late diagnosis of ADHD. Discovering that I am part of the neurodivergent community helped me to learn to work with my brain and my body instead of trying to fight against it. This pattern is meant to look like a top-down view of the brain with the contrasts of brighter and darker colors representing both the fun and energetic sides of ADHD as well as the darker and harder sides of it. The somewhat chaotic look of the varied colors and squiggles shows the business of the Neurodivergent brain. My hope is to increase awareness and education about ADHD and other disorders on the neurodivergent spectrum.” - Crystal

Learn more: 

Harvard's "What Is Neurodiversity" https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645

Cleveland Clinic's Definition: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent

Book recommendation(s):  These books are not meant to replace medical intervention and/or skilled therapy.

Art is Art: Collaborating with Neurodiverse Artists at Creativity Explored. https://a.co/d/iG7kJL4

The Neurodivergence Skills Workbook for Autism and ADHD: Cultivate Self-Compassion, Live Authentically, and Be Your Own Advocate (The Social Justice Handbook Series) https://a.co/d/9lF0qPC  (pre-order, July 1 release date)

Some of the diagnoses you may encounter (aside from adjustment, anxiety, grief, depression, ptsd):

Autism Spectrum Disorder:  Autism spectrum disorder begins in early childhood and is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term "spectrum" in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms:  Inattention, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

If you believe you may need additional support (which I'll admit is difficult to get!), start by contacting your insurance provider to obtain referral sources for psychological evaluations that are in your network. You can also search www.PsychologyToday.com to search for providers.