The term neurodivergence often brings to mind an image of some mysterious “illness” or disability, but in truth neurodiversity is something to be celebrated.
Neurodiverse people bring fresh perspectives and a unique worldview that can be extraordinarily advantageous.
In this article, we’re going to explore neurodivergence from a new angle – not as an illness but as a superpower waiting to be unleashed.
This approach has the potential to liberate neurodiverse people from the narrow confines of society and encourage all of us to appreciate neurodiversity on the qualities, rather than the deficits, it offers.
What Is Neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence is a way of thinking and seeing the world unique to certain individuals who don’t fit into society’s “typical standard”.
To be neurodivergent means that an individual processes information, thinks, and functions in a particular manner and may need additional support to process information or manage tasks that others find straightforward.
What’s important to note is that neurodivergence is not a disorder; rather it is a way to recognize certain neurological and cognitive differences of individuals which helps everyone understand how best to relate and interact with them.
What Is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity can be thought of as the positive side of neurodivergence – it is the idea that having different neurological strengths and weaknesses can be a source of diversity rather than seclusion.
Neurodiversity celebrates neurodivergent people and aims to create an inclusive environment in which neurotypes are accepted and respected as part of society. It’s also a reminder that neurotypes cannot be reduced to just deficits, but also include many strengths and skills that might not have been found in a more “traditional” individual.
In this way, neurodiversity provides recognition for those who sometimes feel overlooked.
Instead of seeing brain and behavioral differences as a problem, neurodiversity celebrates the multitude of ways that minds work. It’s an invigorating reminder that humans are full-blown complex systems.
What Are The Different Types Of Neurodivergence?
Neurodivergence refers to any difference in the way our brain works, processes information, and interacts with the world around us.
This umbrella term includes autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, learning disabilities, asperger’s syndrome, and more.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder classified as a spectrum disorder because autism can vary widely in its presentation, ranging from very mild to the severe.
Autism can lead to difficulties with communication, social interaction, sensory phenomena and more. Autistic individuals present differently across a wide range of abilities related to understanding language, developing friendships, sustaining attention and more.
Asperger’s Syndrome:
Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of autism, characterized by difficulty with communication and social interaction as well as repetitive behaviors.
People with Asperger’s Syndrome often display atypical language development as well as awkwardness in social settings, as illustrated through difficulty understanding rules for conversations, picking up on nonverbal cues, and interpreting sarcasm or irony.
They may also have obsessive routines and patterns that can be difficult to break from as well as more intense interests than average in certain topics.
What Can You Do To Help Someone With ASD?
Autism is a broad spectrum of developmental disorders with an array of symptoms, so helping someone with ASD can be challenging.
However, autistic people often thrive when engaged in calm and predictable conversations or activities that go at a consistent pace. They may respond warmly to compliments and positive reinforcement as long as it’s not overly effusive or loud.
Individuals with autism are often visual learners, gaining valuable information by watching others’ behaviors or by seeing images or videos.
Respectful conversation, taking time to explain things in plain language and giving them time to process the information can lead to successful interactions with those on the autism spectrum.
Autistic people also benefit from having their stress levels minimized through simple activities like going for walks outside or doing favorite leisure activities such as listening to music or playing games.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can impact multiple areas of life, from impulsivity and attention spans to the ability to control emotions and restlessness.
It is characterized by difficulty with concentrating or staying still for long periods of time. Those with ADHD may have a hard time completing tasks or focusing on one thing for too long.
How Does It Feel To Live With ADHD?
Living with ADHD can be quite challenging, particularly because the condition significantly affects the executive functions in the brain.
Executive functions include things like organization, time management, and impulse control – all of which can be difficult for someone living with ADHD to manage on their own. Nevertheless, it is possible to learn effective strategies to help one better manage tasks and develop a routine that works for them.
For those living with someone who has ADHD, understanding their challenges and helping create a supportive environment can go a long way in making life easier.
Patience, communication and empathy will help family members understand how they can best help and support their loved one with ADHD.
Dyslexia / Learning Disabilities:
Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, can affect the way people think and perceive.
Dyslexia is the most common type of learning disability — it’s characterized by difficulty with reading, writing and pronouncing words.
Dysgraphia causes difficulty with handwriting, while dyscalculia impacts the ability to work with numbers or math problems.
Other types of learning disabilities include difficulty with attention or focus, processing information quickly and understanding cause-and-effect relationships.
What Steps Can I Take To Support Someone With Dyslexia?
Supporting individuals with Dyslexia often involves providing them with the necessary tools, techniques, and resources to make learning easier.
People can start by informing themselves about the condition, so they have a better understanding of what dyslexic individuals go through.
Then, they can help those with Dyslexia by creating a positive atmosphere for them to succeed in their education or job training. This may involve giving praise and encouragement for any accomplishments made or utilizing tools like text-to-speech technology and dictionary apps to help them get through reading assignments.
People can also talk to educational professionals or other experts in the field for advice on ways to support those living with Dyslexia.
Finally, supporting individuals with Dyslexia means respecting them and acknowledging their strengths, as well as offering accommodations when needed – whether that’s extra time on tests or providing visual aids during lectures.
Are There Strengths Of Being Neurodivergent?
The short answer? Yes!
It can bring its own unique set of abilities, allowing people to tackle challenges with a special perspective that someone neurotypical wouldn’t be able to achieve.
It’s true that it can cause difficulties in daily life, but embracing our neurodiversity opens up so many opportunities and allows us to discover the positives that come with being different.
Autism Spectrum Disorder / Asperger’s Syndrome:
Being autistic comes with its own unique set of positives!
In some cases, individuals with ASD can possess special intellectual gifts like quick math skills or superior memory capabilities.
They often have an ability to focus deeply on one task for long stretches of time, allowing them to work on complex problems in a way not readily achievable by those without autism. Autistic people also see the world differently than non-autistics, allowing them to be inventive and creative thinkers.
This uniqueness enables them to unearth new resolutions to unsolved issues, offering novel solutions from an unbiased perspective all too uncommon in conventional thought processes.
So while autistics may struggle with social interaction, they’re very much capable of being valuable assets in our society through their remarkable and distinct strengths.
Which Career Field Has a High Density of ASD Individuals?
People on the autism spectrum often demonstrate exceptional cognitive abilities, are incredibly detail oriented and pick up on complex concepts quickly. They are also able to work independently and have excellent memory recall.
A combination of these skills make them particularly suited for computer programming jobs such as coding; hence, it is not uncommon for organizations to employ individuals with ASD in such roles as coders, programmers, developers and engineers.
The rapid growth of the tech sector has led to an abundance of opportunities available to those with ASD, allowing them to use their unique skillsets in progressive ways while living independent, fulfilling lives.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
People with ADHD tend to have heightened levels of creativity and are prodigiously curious – always looking for new information and experiences – which can lead them to arrive at creative solutions to problems in ways that might not be open to those without ADHD.
Furthermore, they also often have an acute sense of focus; being able to pour all of their energy into tasks they find enjoyable or interesting and block out extraneous noise until finished.
All of these traits add up to create a real strength and should be celebrated, as one’s unique skill set is what drives motivation and success.
Dyslexia / Learning Disabilities:
People with learning disabilities possess a special set of skills, such as the ability to think outside the box and solve complicated problems in unconventional ways.
These people also tend to be incredibly resilient. Many learn quickly how to adapt and overcome their disabilities, which can produce lifelong dividends for them in terms of success both professionally and personally.
However, on top of these positives, perhaps the most undervalued quality credited to those with learning disabilities is their creative potential.
These individuals often approach creativity from a different perspective than others, producing remarkably innovative solutions to difficult questions or issues.
It’s clear that there is much potential hidden within those struggling with learning disabilities, from individual successes all the way up to global scientific endeavors.
In Summary:
Neurodiversity is something that should be celebrated, not feared. We need to actively look for unique strengths that people living with a neurological condition have rather than focus on the weaknesses.
Neurodiversity advocates have affected the start of a paradigm shift in the way neurodivergence is acknowledged, treated and supported in our communities. It’s about embracing the uniqueness of the mind and the opportunities that it gives us all.
After all, it’s easier said than done for many individuals to think outside the box and offer unique approaches and solutions to certain problems.
Neurodivergent individuals are special; their unique minds possess a wide range of talents that often exceed beyond what is conventional and should be embraced.
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Resources:
https://adhdaware.org.uk/what-is-adhd/neurodiversity-and-other-conditions/
