Dr. Rosy Boa hosts an episode of Science of Slink on neurodivergence and pole with neurodivergent psychologist and pole dancer Gabby Desmond. They define neurodivergence as a broad umbrella beyond autism and ADHD (including OCD, BPD, and learning disabilities like dyslexia) and discuss why neurodivergent people may be drawn to pole for its structure, predictability, community “parallel play,” and endless achievable challenges. They explore sensory processing and regulation through spinning, inversion, and aerial hammock, plus differences in interoception and pain that can affect conditioning, stretching, and injury risk. The conversation covers learning preferences (visual vs verbal cues), difficulties with right/left and choreography, managing ADHD/autistic boom-bust training cycles, focusing on core vocabulary over trick inflation, and using external cues and varied feedback to support motor learning. Gabby shares where to find her work at unfurlpsychology and on Instagram.
Where to find Gabby:
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
02:11 What Neurodivergence Means
03:51 Why Pole Attracts ND Folks
06:30 Sensory Seeking and Spinning
11:41 Dyslexia and Learning Pole
15:35 Learning Styles and Flow
18:41 Boom Bust Training Cycles
24:05 Interoception and Pain
25:45 Stretching and Hypermobility
29:53 Learning Through Feedback
38:36 Failure and Self Efficacy
41:22 Why Pole Community Works
42:42 Wrap Up and Links
