Neurodiversity Defined and in Practice

“Human diversity is incomplete without neurodiversity. The notion that there is a single ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’ form of brain or mind, or a single ‘proper’ style of neurocognitive functioning, is as flawed as the notion that there is a single ‘normal’ or ‘correct’ gender, race, or culture.” – Nick Walker, The Neurodiversity Paradigm 

In its simplest form, neurodiversity is the perception that brain differences are normal, not defective. It reduces the stigma around learning and thinking differences. Neurodiversity is a concept that encourages people to understand that the only difference between those that have a neurotypical brain and a neurodivergent brain is that people who are the latter simply think about and see the world differently.

Neurodiversity is understood to be a form of human diversity that is subject to the same social dynamics as other forms of diversity (including dynamics of power and oppression).

The designation of neurodivergence (such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and bipolar disorder) as a medical/psychiatric disease is based on cultural bias and oppresses persons who are branded as such.

The term neurodiversity was first coined by an activist and social scientist named Judy Singer in 1999. The term was quickly picked up by the Autistic Rights Movement, which was created earlier in the decade. Singer was Autistic herself and wanted to get away from the ‘mother blaming’ theories surrounding neurodivergent minds.

Despite the work of activists, psychologists, scientists, and experts incorporating neurodiversity into our society, it is still a work in progress. As with any social movement, things can move slowly and education for all is needed to progress further.

Advocacy

The shift away from ABA, which seeks to “cure” autism by changing the behavioral patterns of individuals with autism, rather than embracing ways to work with the variations in the brain that autism causes, is the most visible way that understanding of neurodiversity is shaping advocacy for neurodiverse populations.

Within the education system, you can very clearly see that the work of advocates and those behind the neurodiversity movement has made a difference. Before the education surrounding neurodiversity began, children that had neurodivergent minds had very different educational experiences than those with neurotypical minds.

It used to be commonplace for neurodivergent kids to automatically be separated into a “special needs” group and stay there for their entire duration at school. This led to an onslaught of problems – social problems in and out of the classroom, disregarding how intelligent a child may be simply because they do not have a neurotypical mind and a host of self-esteem challenges lasting throughout their adult lives.

In modern-day classrooms, “special needs” children will be streamlined into the main body of the school, just with extra support. Many children have a teacher that accompanies them to their lessons, they receive extra help or time when it comes to examinations and teachers are being thoroughly educated on how they can best teach and support their students.

One of the key components of introducing neurodiversity to schools is that instead of seeing these behaviors as a problem, educators are being taught how to flip the coin and turn the so-called problem into a solution. They may have a child in their class that is extremely perceptive and doesn’t miss a trick. Instead of perceiving it as annoying, flip the script! Turn their work into a problem for them to solve. Neurodiversity is all about accommodating the different types of brain.

Employment

Spending the bulk of your time as a neurodivergent person working in a place that doesn’t accommodate you, with employers that haven’t been given the education and resources to understand, sounds pretty tough. Yet this is what many people have had to go through for years and unfortunately, some still do. 

Similar to schools, employers and employees alike are now being educated on how they can make their workplace more diverse and inclusive. There are various organizations that run audits and give free education to employers so that they can make the most out of the skills their employees have and ensure a safe space for employees to feel comfortable at work.

Prospective employees are now protected by the law and legally cannot face any discrimination from employers due to neurodivergence. There are also inclusivity quotas that employers need to adhere to maintain a range of representation across race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability backgrounds.

Social Change

The prejudice and difficulties that neurodivergent people encounter are still present in our society. Nonetheless, a cultural understanding of neurodiversity can help us change how we think about the matter and how we treat neurodivergent people.

As more and more people are educated on the subject, there is a trickle-down effect throughout society that will affect people in different communities. This is invaluable. Instead of only a mere few possessing this knowledge, a collective understanding is what is going to benefit neurodivergent people the most.

Increased representation of neurodivergent people is also a really great thing. If you never see people who are like you on a world stage, how are you ever meant to think that you belong?

Even in popular TV shows, we now see characters that display the traits that some neurodivergent people may have. While the character of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory is exaggerated in instances for comedic effect, he showcases the difficulties that neurodivergent people can face in their everyday lives.

In a very compelling episode, Sheldon gets his best friend Leonard to wear a sweater that is irritating and uncomfortable until he can find a solution to his problem. Initially, Leonard boasts saying that it won’t be a problem for him. At the end of the episode, we see Sheldon speak about how that is how it feels for him when problems go unresolved, yet people always seem to expect him to just accept a situation, not knowing how it really feels to him.

Without neurodiversity, we cannot ever reach a state of human diversity as a whole. The notion that there is a singular correct style of neurocognitive functioning is not only damaging to those that have a neurodivergent mind but also is a largely inaccurate concept as a whole. If someone were to say that there is only one correct gender, race, or sexual orientation, the response would be outrageous. 

Neurodiversity leads us to think the same way about our minds.