Understanding Neurodiversity: How Different Minds Shape Our World

-Abigail Lisa Jeji

Intern, Mind Splatters, Jan - April, 2024

Have you heard of Neurodivergence and neurodivergent people? This term has been spreading around social media and the ADHD-Autism community, but what does it actually mean and entail? Well, Neurodivergence can be defined as “Neurodivergent is a nonmedical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason. This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically. While some people who are neurodivergent have medical conditions, it also happens to people where a medical condition or diagnosis hasn’t been identified.” 

It is, as we see from the definition, a different way of cognition and even perception in some cases. While being neurodivergent comes with quite a few weaknesses and sometimes even disorders and learning disabilities, it also comes with strengths like better three-dimensional perception, memory, and so on. We have to keep in mind that the term ‘neurodivergent’ has emerged to remind us that instead of using the previous terms “normal” and “abnormal” to describe people whose brain develops and functions differently we should use more sensitive language because there is no “normal” way of a brain functioning. People whose brains don't develop and work differently are called “neurotypical”. An example to explain the strengths and weakness of a neurodivergent person: people with dyslexia (having trouble reading and sometimes writing) actually tend to have excellent 3D processing and picturing (which is suspected to be the reason behind why they struggle with reading since in a 3D-scape many letters look similar), this makes them great at graphic design and architecture. 

There is a lot of medical relevance and necessity to describe what is normal and what is abnormal so that illnesses and issues can be diagnosed and identified. But just like the sociologist Judy Singer (the person who coined the term “neurodiversity”) believes- everyone's brain develops differently. The core understanding of neurodiversity is that it’s natural for everyone to develop differently and have their own abilities and struggles. Neurodivergence or calling your child neurodivergent is acknowledging that they are differently abled. 

Does being neurodivergent mean that you are disabled? It does make it difficult to perform like neurotypicals especially since most of the society has been built around neurotypical capabilities. An example would be the classroom setting, while neurotypicals find the setting peaceful and even fun, a neurodivergent person can be put off by the chaos and noise, most likely can't focus unless they fidget with something, can be put off by the texture of the things around them, and so on. But when put in a neurodivergent-friendly environment they tend to perform just as well if not better than their neurotypical counterparts. Being accommodating to people who have disabilities is how they can integrate themselves into society. There are many already existing accommodations for the physically disabled and sensory disabled like ramps for wheelchairs and crosswalk/zebra crossing sirens to signal that it's safe to walk. Like most accommodations, even neurodivergent accommodations have benefits for the abled and neurotypical population. 

Some people oppose the idea of neurodiversity and Neurodivergence since some people who are neurodivergent have actual medical conditions that need treatment. But being accepting of Neurodivergence doesn't mean that you aren't going to get the help you require, it just means being able to identify that your brain works differently than others and that you might need aids to adapt to the situation. There has been expert research done to show that people who understand Neurodivergence tend to be happier since they no longer believe that they are “broken” or “defective” they are just different. 

 We need to keep in mind that Neurodivergence is a spectrum. While some people can adapt to society with less help, others may need more help with day-to-day activities. Here are some conditions people who are neurodivergent can have:-

• Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger’s syndrome).

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

• Down syndrome.

• Dyscalculia (difficulty with math).

• Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing).

• Dyslexia (difficulty with reading).

• Dyspraxia (difficulty with coordination).

• Intellectual disabilities.

• Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more.

• Prader-Willi syndrome.

• Sensory processing disorders.

• Social anxiety (a specific type of anxiety disorder).

• Tourette syndrome.

• Williams syndrome.

How do you find out if you are neurodivergent? It is best to seek a healthcare provider, who can test for any of the conditions that fall under being neurodivergent. But keep in mind many neurodivergent people don't have any identified condition. However, your healthcare provider or a specialist can help guide you through how to adapt and function effectively or to your strengths. People with ADHD tend to respond very positively to medication and behavioural therapy. Again this isn't an illness or disease! You can't prevent, cure, or treat being neurodivergent. It is just having a differently developed brain. 

Let us be more understanding, accommodating, and even normalise what Neurodivergence actually entails.