What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a concept and social movement that recognizes the variety of cognitive differences among individuals and respects each equally. Historically neurodevelopmental differences such as characteristic of autism, adhd and dyspraxia have been considered “disorders” rather than just different ways of seeing and experiencing the world. This perspective led to a “fix them” approach and many people have been psychologically harmed by attempts to change something that they cannot and should not change (sensory sensitivities, preferences for topics and interests, different eye contact preferences etc). 

Neurodiversity suggests that the majority of the population can be described as neurotypical. However, some peoples brains are divergent i.e. their brain works differently to a neurotypical brain. These people are called neurodivergent and include people who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other types of difference. Within a neurodiversity framework the difference is not judged or labeled as a disorder or problem but simply as a difference. Just like neurotypical people have strengths and challenges, so do neurodivergent people.

This approach is reframing for the better how mainstream medicine, media and society talk about and perceive the neurodivergent community. If you find yourself in a conversation about the neurodivergent community think about the language you are using