When Identity Meets Misunderstanding: Neurodivergent Teens, Furries, Therians, and the Bullying They Face

By Diana Morales, LCSW, Oct 27, 2025, 12:00 PM CST

Introduction

In my many years of working with children and adolescents, one observation has stuck out to me. I noticed that a small group who are neurodivergent have adopted a second identity for themselves that aligns with believing and feeling like they are a certain animal. I have not seen this identity shift from neurotypical adolescents, but that does not mean that they do not have such beliefs. This form of identity is what is called being a Therian. I have been informed that there is a distinct difference between being a Therian and the closely related furry, where individuals dress in a full animal costume similar to those worn by sports mascots. You might be thinking that in some cultures, this connection to an animal may look like an assigned animal spirit or animal reincarnation. However, this isn’t quite the case. 

From what I have learned, the individual who considers themselves a therian will completely take on the identity of their chosen animal based on which animal calls out to them. It is more than an interest in the animal, but they personify their selected animal in their mannerisms and overall way of being. This will often present as an adolescent or individual wearing masks that represent their animal identity, possibly wearing a sort of tail, and other items that further depict and personify their animal identity. 

However, it isn’t just how they dress and present themselves externally, but also how they internally experience the world. Individuals who identify as therian can often be observed trying to mimic movements associated with their animal's identity. They can be seen leaping in the air, climbing trees in a way that their animal would, seen to be licking their hands or “paws”, or sitting in the same way that their animal would sit. Neurodivergent youth who align with the therian identity tend to spend time with others like them.

A Hidden Intersection of Identity and Stigma

Imagine being a teenager already feeling out of place, struggling to fit in, process social cues, or navigate a world that feels overwhelming. This scenario is what typical adolescence is like for the majority of the population. Now, let’s add to this by including neurodivergence. For many neurodivergent adolescents, it is even harder to fit in with peer groups, and even more challenging to navigate a society where being neurodivergent is “different”. Oftentimes, neurodivergent adolescents feel like they’re forced to mask who they are for society’s approval, and they go through much of their life trying to fit in. 

Now imagine finding a community where you finally feel like you belong. For many neurodivergent adolescents, that community might exist within the Furry or Therian fandoms, where creativity, acceptance, and self-expression are celebrated. Just when they feel like they have made progress in understanding the world and where they might fit in it. Their newfound community and interests also tend to make them targets of ridicule, harassment, and bullying, both online and in person. 

Neurodivergence and the Search for Belonging

Neurodivergence includes conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and sensory processing differences. Adolescents with these traits often experience heightened empathy toward animals, a deep imaginative life, and a preference for structured but expressive communities. Furry and Therian spaces offer acceptance and an outlet for identity exploration that traditional social settings rarely provide.  

Unfortunately, misunderstanding and societal stigma label these identities as “taboo” or “strange,” turning safe spaces into sources of shame when exposed by both adults and other adolescents. For neurodivergent youth—many of whom already face bullying due to their communication styles or behaviors—this layered rejection can intensify feelings of isolation and anxiety. It further supports the need for neurodivergent youth to mask and present themselves contrary to who they feel they are. 

The Impact of Bullying on Neurodivergent Expression

In a society where it is taught early on to “be yourself” and to learn how to “accept” others. This often does not realistically take place, especially during the adolescent period when many are trying to fit in with their peers and often engage in bullying behaviors. Bullying rooted in misunderstanding often silences the very voices that need expression the most. As a result, many neurodivergent youths look for ways that can “mask” or separate their neurodivergent identity from the “fake” or masked “normal" identity. Unfortunately, this further perpetuates the feeling of not knowing who they really are and questioning their true identity. 

Being mocked for identifying with a non-human persona or for participating in online fandoms can further lead to emotional withdrawal, depression, and mistrust of adults or peers. These outcomes highlight why it’s essential for clinicians, parents, and educators to adopt curiosity rather than criticism. Asking what does this identity mean to you? opens the door to meaningful connection and healing (Roberts et al., 2023). Even when this may go against your own beliefs, it is important to validate the adolescent’s feelings that led to seeking out these communities. 

Conclusion: Reframing “Taboo” Interests Through a Neurodiversity Lens

Rather than viewing Furry or Therian identities as deviant, society can learn from these youth about creativity, authenticity, and resilience. Through costume, art, or community engagement, adolescents often explore emotional regulation, empathy, and belonging—skills critical to well-being. Recognizing this fosters compassion and challenges harmful stereotypes about what it means to be “different.” This shift in conversation first starts in the home. It’s the adults who initiate the discussion and shift their teachings to be more open and accepting of others. 

Empathy begins when we choose curiosity over criticism. Supporting neurodivergent teens in their unique identities may not only reduce bullying but also nurture the next generation of compassionate, creative thinkers.

A Call to Action

Let’s shift the conversation. Instead of pathologizing or ridiculing the interests of neurodivergent adolescents, we must protect their right to self-expression. Parents, educators, and mental health professionals can make a difference by:

- Creating safe spaces where unconventional identities are respected.

- Integrating neurodiversity-affirming practices into classrooms and therapy settings.

- Addressing bullying proactively, not reactively.

- Encouraging open dialogue that invites understanding over judgment.

Reference

Roberts, S. E., Plante, C. N., Gerbasi, K. C., & Scaletta Kent, J. (2023). Furries, Therians, and the autistic community: Overlapping identities and shared spaces for belonging. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(7), 2854–2868. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05845-4