Neurodivergence: Understanding Our Differences

You may have heard terms like “neurodiversity” and “neurodiverse”, and wondered what it meant to be Neurodiverse, Neurodivergent, and how it can affect people who fall under these umbrella terms. As an Autistic person, I hope to help you understand the term, the Neurodivergent people in your life, and maybe even yourself!

Neurodiversity is a broad umbrella term, which recognises the way that every person’s mind and brain is unique. It recognises the diversity of experiences. In some way, every single person is “Neurodiverse”.

On the other hand, not everyone is Neurodivergent. Neurodivergence means that a person’s brain works in a way that is significantly different from the norm. For example, Autism and ADHD both fall under the Neurodivergent category.

Under current diagnostic criteria, we only view Neurodivergent experiences through a lens of deficits. Autism and ADHD are diagnosed by looking only at the challenges associated with them, which increases negative stigma.

Neurodivergent people are affected not only by our diagnoses, but also the world. Our world was created by “The Norm” for “Normal People” (even though we are all different). Some of the challenges that Neurodivergent people face are there because the world isn’t made for people like us. As an Autistic person, many of the challenges I face are intrinsic to me and my diagnosis, but many are only there because I am expected to blend in, and act and be “normal”. There is an expectation that Neurodivergent people mask – meaning we constantly try to conform to society’s idea of what it means to be a good, normal and “functional” people, even when it’s not normal or functional to us. Accepting and understanding that Neurodivergent people need and deserve accommodations can go a long way. But even when we do have accommodations, we are still Neurodivergent. We will still be different, and we may still struggle.

And while it is true that Neurodivergent people deal with unique struggles, it’s important to note that we also have unique strengths.

As an autistic person, it’s true that I will always struggle with social cues, and things that come naturally to those around me are a constant effort. I struggle with sounds and textures, and I like my life structured to a point that most people don’t understand. But I am also creative, extremely passionate, have a deep sense of justice and unique perspectives.

Other people with ASD have unique strengths as well; including unique styles of thinking, attention to detail and memory, and an incredible knowledge of our special interests. People with ADHD have unique strengths as well! The people with ADHD in my life are extremely adaptable, resilient and energetic, and I admire how they can hyper-focus on tasks.

It’s important not to underplay the experiences and challenges that Neurodivergent people face, while also recognising us as people first and foremost, who have a unique identity and strengths not just despite our diagnosis, but also because of it. Neurodivergent people add to the beautiful Neurodiversity and uniqueness of our society and world.

And every Neurodivergent person is unique. We are not only different from “the norm”, but also different from one another. Because at the end of the day, we are also people.

-By Shai, Kensington Psychology Receptionist