Different, Not Broken: A Brief Introduction to Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is the idea that people interact with the world in numerous ways, and that there is no one” right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving. From this perspective, differences are not viewed as deficits. The goal is to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people, while embracing differences. As with all types of diversity, having multiple ways that people interact and view the world brings about positive contributions to society!
A couple of key terms:
-Neurotypical: Refers to individuals whose brains function in a way similar to most people
-Neurodivergent: Refers to individuals whose brains function in a way different than most people
Neurodivergent individuals have unique ways of seeing the world and behaving. Neurodiversity is often used for neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or learning disabilities (e.g., Dyslexia).
What does this mean for me or my child?
Often in a psychological assessment (and in our daily lives) we focus on the areas of difficulty a person may be facing. The challenges individuals may face is an important part of a diagnosis. Going beyond the diagnosis though, it’s important to look at a complete view of individuals and celebrate their unique perspective. What are the strengths of the individual? How can we make sure that the supports are in place in order to make each individual capable of showing these strengths? You’re not broken and you don’t need to be fixed, you just need to find the right strategies to help you be the best version of yourself.
A couple of key steps for how to best support neurodivergent individuals:
Learn how your brain (or your child’s brain) works! Learning strengths and weaknesses and the ways in which you work best is critical for neurodivergent individuals.
Learn how to personally support those weaknesses by building on your strengths. Also finding outside resources (such as technology tools) can be helpful!
Learn what outside supports are available . This could include accommodations or therapeutic interventions.
Interested in learning more? Stay tuned for future blog posts!
In the meantime, some resources include:
-Podcast: The Neurodiversity Podcast https://neurodiversitypodcast.com/
-Book: Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other Brain Differences by Thomas Armstrong
