Written by Vanya Gupta, Social Media & Marketing Volunteer
In 1998, Judy Singer coined the term “neurodiversity” to recognize that everyone’s brain develops uniquely. Indeed, neurodivergence is defined as difference in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal, referring to the natural variation in the human brain's cognitive functioning. The term encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions, including Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), dyslexia, dyspraxia, William’s syndrome, etc. Ultimately, neurodivergence challenges traditional concepts of normalcy, emphasizing the diversity of human behavior. It recognizes that there is no real “normal” way for the brain to work, as each individual has their own strengths and challenges.
Strengths
Some strengths neurodivergent people tend to have are better memory, better ability to mentally picture three-dimensional (3D) objects easily, and the ability to solve complex mathematical calculations in their head.
For example, Autism, perhaps one of the most well-known neurodivergences, illustrates this diversity vividly. Autistic individuals often exhibit greater creativity, focus, and memory, as well as a stronger sense of personal values such as honesty and commitment. This results in talents in areas such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and innovative problem-solving.
Similarly, people with ADHD often demonstrate exceptional resilience, creativity, conversational skills, spontaneity, and abundant energy. Many are quick thinkers and very adaptable. Dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects reading and language processing, means struggling with reading written text, but these people often excel in visual thinking and spatial reasoning.
Struggles
While neurodivergent individuals have many strengths, they also have their weaknesses. Challenges come in the form of reading and writing, social interaction and communication, coordination and motor skills, and learning disabilities.
Namely, people with Autism can experience sensory overload, not understand social cues, and have difficulty controlling emotions. Those with ADHD have trouble paying attention, can be hyperactive, and can be very impulsive. Dyslexia affects ability to read and write, and can cause other issues with memory, organization, and concentration.
It is important to remember that each neurodivergent individual is different, and might have more difficulty with some things than others. Neurodivergence also comes with the added obstacles of stigma and barriers to access education, employment, and healthcare. Misconceptions and stereotypes about neurodivergence sustain social exclusion and discrimination in the community.
How to Help
To create a more inclusive society, it is essential to promote understanding, acceptance, and support for neurodivergent individuals. This includes advocating for accommodations and accessibility measures in educational and workplace settings. Raising awareness about the strengths and struggles people with different neurodivergences face through articles like these, and challenging stigma are crucial steps to support neurodivergent people.
Overall, by embracing the spectrum of human minds, we can build a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their neurological makeup.
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