What is Neurodiversity?
Have you crossed paths with people whose brains function a bit differently, a bit outside the ‘typical’? Maybe you know individuals who have trouble reading, lose focus easily or tend to obsessively do repetitive gestures or activities, or have problems with social interaction and communication. Chances are that this person falls under the category of a neurodiverse individual.
A Harvard Health article describes neurodiversity perfectly; neurodiversity refers to the mental diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. It describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in different ways; there is no "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
The term was coined by Judy Singer, a sociologist with autism, in the late 1990s. It refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And people who have these features also have certain strengths. The idea is to delink disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, etc., from disability.
Neurodiversity encompasses a wide spectrum of disorders; some of the common ones under the term are:
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Autism is a neurological developmental condition marked by recurrent behavioral patterns, among them being issues with social interaction. ASD is caused by a variety of factors; environmental, biological, and genetic factors are some of the few that have been shown to increase a child's risk of having ASD. The word "spectrum" in ASD refers to the broad spectrum of symptoms and severity. There is no simple test to determine ASD, as the traits vary widely across a ‘spectrum’. It cannot be adequately captured by any classification.
Individuals with ASD may behave, interact, communicate, and learn differently than most other people. A part of the ASD learning difference may include difficulties adjusting to change, following rules, or seeing things from other perspectives. Although many autistic people exhibit varying behaviors and modes of communication, their neurodiversity has no effect on their IQ.
ADHD or Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is also found across a broad spectrum of experiences; an individual might exhibit symptoms some of the time, all of the time, or rarely. ADHD symptoms affect attention and concentration. In general, people with ADHD can experience various levels of impulsivity, hyperactivity, distractedness, and difficulty following instructions and completing tasks. People diagnosed with ADHD could have either or both presentations, i.e., inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive.
In many cases, these brain differences do not require accommodations in the traditional sense. However, employers and educators will need to adjust how they communicate with them. Adapting performance-review strategies, proactive communication, and altered workflows can help them optimize their abilities at work.
Learning Disorders
There are several learning disorders that impair a person's capacity to comprehend and use particular types of knowledge. These are cognitive disabilities, and children with learning challenges, in general, give no outward sign of the disorder; they do not "appear" impaired and are often not diagnosed or recognized within the educational system. They are distinct from intellectual disabilities and do not indicate low IQ. The underlying cause for these learning disorders is not known. Since they tend to run in families, medical professionals think genetics play a significant part in causing them.
With more discourse around these disorders, parents and teachers have now learned to understand the signs and help children overcome the roadblocks presented by learning disorders; However, traditionally, many have unfortunately been stigmatized or dismissed as lazy or inattentive. While dyslexia is the most well-known learning disorder, there are others:
Dyslexia: mainly impacts the abilities needed for precise and fluid reading and spelling. Problems with short-term recollection, timekeeping, and information processing are frequently seen.
Dyscalculia: manifests as difficulty understanding number concepts and performing calculations and computations. It also results in problems with time, measurement, and spatial reasoning.
Dysgraphia: impacts a person's writing and fine motor abilities and makes writing difficult for the person. Additionally, it may affect character size, word spacing, and spelling. It can impede young children's ability to acquire written language.
Dyspraxia: affects coordination, movement, balance, and organizational abilities. Poor hand-to-eye coordination and spatial awareness make it difficult for people to carry out everyday functions such as writing.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder that leads patients to experience intrusive, obsessive thoughts that cause discomfort and worry. This manifests in specific, repetitive behaviors that are practiced to calm these worries. This is called a compulsion.
People with OCD do not show any difference from the general population in their usual interpersonal behavior or processing of information. However, when anxiety strikes, they exhibit behaviors that may appear odd, such as walking back and forth across a room, repeatedly washing hands, or touching things in a sequence. A compulsive cycle can impact daily activities, causing major distress, and impairs work, social, and critical personal functions. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are frequently used to address OCD.
Shifting Mindsets to Spotlight Opportunities over Challenges
No two brains, personalities, or skill sets are alike; however, despite our diversity, we as a society tend to exclude the unusual. Much of societal disregard comes from unfamiliarity. We hope that understanding neurodiversity in more detail will lead to us recognizing the strengths of ‘neurodiverse individuals’ we might meet someday and likely already know – rather than focusing on their differences.
