The Spoon Theory

The Spoon Theory is a visualization method created to express what it’s like to not fit the mold in a world built by and for able-bodied, neurotypical people. The theory was created by Christine Miserandino to explain what her life living with Lupus was like. Basically the symbolic spoons represent a unit of energy. Unlike neurotypicals and able-bodied people, those with chronic illnesses or neurodivergence have a finite amount of spoons per day and deplete energy at a faster rate. This means the spoons must be rationed or they’ll run out before the day is done.