Neurodiversity: Philosophy, Context, Vocabulary and some of Meg’s musings…
Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary defines:
Individual differences in brain functioning regarded as normal variations within the human population.
The concept that differences in brain functioning within the human population are normal and that brain functioning that is not neurotypical should not be stigmatized.
Harvard Health Publishing from Harvard Medical School illuminates: NEURODIVERSITY
Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
So let’s put that philosophy in context and go over some “brain stuff” vocabulary:
It is estimated that at least 20% of the world population is neurodivergent– that is they have brains that are structured and connected differently from the neurotypical brains of the other 80%.
Neurodivergence is the neurological “difference from the norm.” It refers to the different brain wiring responsible for invisible cognitive disabilities like Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia, among others.
The Neurodiversity Movement is a paradigm that has been adopted by both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals over the past 25 years. Initially only applying to the autism community, “Neurodiversity” has expanded to include the wider neurodiverse population. The Neurodiversity paradigm:
sees brain differences as a normal variation within the human genome.
knows brain differences have been present throughout human history.
rejects the idea that brain differences are a pandemic of the technological age, a disease in need of curing, or a defect in need of fixing.
** HOWEVER, it is important to note that declaring these atypical brains “not broken” does NOT mean that people with neurodivergent brains aren’t coping with disabilities, impairments, and challenges. In order to access and function comfortably in schools, workplaces, and public or social situations, neurodivergent individuals have a wide range of support needs that vary in scope based on each individual’s lived experience.
Breaking it down even further:
Currently, neurodivergent brain types are grouped into Neurodevelopmental Disorders. These diagnoses are determined by a list of common behavior traits that– you guessed it– deviate from the norm. As such, most of these conditions include the term “Disorder” in their name. Wouldn’t it be great to change this? Does not experiencing life like 80% of the world really need to be a disorder (a word that carries negative connotations)? Could it just be a difference? Like everything, it all depends on where you are looking from. Sidenote: Kids have a lot on their plates already. Wouldn’t it be great if they could grow up confident in themselves and their strengths, and not be held back by shame at being differently-wired?
This is a constantly evolving list, but right now, included under the umbrella of Neurodiversity are:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Examples of traits include sensory processing differences, difficulty with social communication, repetitive behavior, restricted interests, and struggles with emotional regulation.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Examples of traits include impulsivity, difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and struggles with executive function and emotional regulation.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) – Over or under sensitivity to input through the 8 sensory systems:
Auditory (Sound)
Tactile (Touch)
Gustatory (Taste)
Olfactory (Smell)
Visual (Sight)
Proprioceptive (muscles and joints informing about the body’s position in space)
Vestibular (the balance system informing about the body’s movement through space)
Interoceptive (input about sensations inside the body)
All the Dys … es(?):
Dyslexia – A learning difference specific to reading, making it difficult to decode speech sounds as they relate to letters or words.
Dyscalculia – A learning difference specific to math and numbers making even basic arithmetic, quantities, and values difficult to grasp.
Dysgraphia – A learning difference specific to writing that includes the subcategories:
Dyslexic dysgraphia – difficulty with written language not directly copied from another source. Interestingly, transcribed language is often clear because fine motor skills are unaffected. Spelling is often below the normal range.
Motor dysgraphia – difficulty with all written language and drawing due to fine motor struggles. Spelling is usually unaffected.
Spacial dysgraphia – writing is impaired due to a struggle with spacial relationships. This may look like inconsistent letter/word-spacing and struggles with writing within the lines on lined paper.
Dyspraxia – The official diagnosis is Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and involves an impairment in the learning of coordination and motor skills.
Tourette’s Syndrome – Examples of traits include the presence of tics (sudden unintended movements or sounds).
Synaesthesia – A neurological condition where stimulation of one sense triggers another sensation (hearing colors, seeing sounds).
Oh, and we can’t forget that while technically not considered part of the Neurodiversity Movement since neurotypicals also experience them, Anxiety (in all its forms) and Depression are often unwelcome companions of the neurodivergent brain.