Compliance Makes Us Vulnerable

Neurodivergent people are often expected to show unquestioning obedience

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Like many of us, as a kid I was expected to be quiet and do what I was told. I’ve never been very good at that, mind you, but the message was made abundantly clear: You are a good person if you put your head down, work hard, and don’t make trouble.

Pfft.

As I said, obedience was never my strong suit, and that has certainly not changed in adulthood.

Regardless, it was expected and demanded. I was taught that “good” kids do what they’re told and are shown kindness. “Bad” kids who don’t listen are punished and shown cruelty.

Compliance became a survival skill, which caused me significant difficulty in adolescence and early adulthood.