What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

People who are neurodivergent differ in the way their brain functions due to conditions such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), dyslexiaand others. They face challenges due to how they think, learn, and engage with the world. They can also have unique special skills in areas like memory, math, and pattern recognition.

 

Defining Neurodivergent

The term “neurodivergent” refers to people who process information differently. These differences can be linked to:

• Genetic and environmental factors
• A diagnosed condition
• An event such as a traumatic injury

The term is used to describe an alternative way of thinking and can include an infinite combination of symptoms that affect people in different ways at different stages of development.

Not all neurodivergent people have a formal diagnosis or are actively seeking one. Instead, they may recognize that they interact differently with the world than the norm and choose to self-identify as neurodivergent without a known reason for their symptoms.

 

Where the Term ‘Neurodivergent’ Comes From

The term “neurodivergent” was introduced by autistic sociologist Judy Singer in the 1990s. She used the term to replace language that focused on terms such as “deficits” and “disorders” to describe people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other conditions.

Singer proposed that these conditions were evidence of the neurological diversity of all people. She used the term “neurodiversity” to promote equality and inclusion of people with all neurological conditions.

“Neurodivergent” is not a medical term or diagnosis. It is an umbrella term to include a group of natural variations in neurological traits. It presents neurodiversity as a characteristic that should be accommodated rather than changed or treated.

 

Common Neurodivergent Conditions

Neurodivergent conditions cause the brain to develop or work differently from people whose brains develop or work more typically. These conditions cause variations in cognitive, behavioral, and sensory experiences that are different from the norm.

There is no consensus on a finite list of neurodivergent conditions. Conditions commonly described as neurodivergent conditions are:

• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): ASD is a developmental condition characterized by differences in communication, social interaction, and behavior.
• ADHD: ADHD involves persistent hyperactivity, inattention, or impulsivity that interferes with daily life.
• Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a learning difference that impacts language processing and reading.
• Dyspraxia: Dyspraxia is a motor coordination disorder that affects physical tasks such as coordination, handwriting, or balance.
• Dyscalculia: Dyscalculia interferes with the ability to understand and learn numbers and math-related concepts.
• Tourette’s syndrome (TS): TS involves spontaneous repetitive movements or vocal tics.
• Acquired neurodiversity: Acquired neurodiversity describes neurological differences that develop as part of a traumatic injury, physical illness, or mental health condition.

Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are usually not regarded as neurodivergent. However, neurodivergent people have a higher risk of mental health conditions. About two-thirds of people with ADHD have been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

 

Symptoms and Traits

While every neurodivergent individual experiences unique emotional and behavioral symptoms. There is a wide range of symptoms along the neurodivergent spectrum since being neurodivergent can involve many different conditions. Common neurodivergent symptoms are:

• Clumsiness
• Difficulty with social interactions
• Difficulty dealing with crowds and other social situations
• Problems with concentration, attention, and memory
• Heightened anxiety
• Extreme sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and balance
• Hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and/or hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) to a wide range of stimuli
• Sensory avoidance behavior to escape stimuli that most people can tune out, such as covering your eyes from bright lights, to counter hypersensitivity
• Sensory-seeking behavior, such as touching people or objects, to get more sensory input from the environment to offset hyposensitivity
• Poor proprioception (awareness of body position and movement)
• Poor interoception (awareness of internal body cues and sensations)
• Repetitive behaviors or routines
• Lack of smiling or social responsiveness
• Meltdown (escalating, overwhelming emotions or the need to escape a situation)
• Shutdown (Problems communicating or responding to others as the brain works to manage sensory input)

Strengths of neurodivergent individuals include the following characteristics:

• Emphasis on accuracy
• Creativity and innovation
• Technical and design strengths
• Unique approach to problem-solving
• High levels of concentration and accuracy
• Strong recall of detailed facts and information
• Reliability
• Attention to detail and/or the ability to hyperfocus
• Memory ability
• Innovative thinking and detailed observation
• Ability to excel in repetitive or routine tasks
• Specialized individual skills in art, music, reading, and/or computation

 

Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Individuals

The challenges that neurodivergent individuals face can vary based on their conditions and environments. Common challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals include:

• Access to education that meets their needs
• Being assertive in making decisions
• Collaborating with and working as part of a team
• Communicating thoughts and ideas verbally and/or in writing
• Dealing with complex bureaucratic processes and form-filling
• Dealing with disagreement
• Dealing with emotions
• Difficulties maintaining a schedule, meeting deadlines, and avoiding procrastination
• Difficulties understanding social cues and norms
• High volumes of reading
• Limited access to appropriate healthcare, therapy, and support services
• Social isolation and exclusion
• Stigma and misunderstanding about neurodiversity
• Sustaining friendships
• Sustaining mental health and well-being
• Transportation challenges
• Vulnerability to exploitation, abuse, and bullying

 

How to Test for Neurodivergence

Testing for neurodivergence depends on many factors, such as your age and symptoms. If you desire a formal evaluation to determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for neurodivergence, contact your healthcare provider or a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, to start the process.

Testing for neurodivergence can include consideration of many aspects of your physical and mental health. These tests are combined to determine if a person meets the diagnostic criteria of a neurodivergent condition. Factors you may encounter in testing include:

• Observation of your behavior
• Review of your school and/or medical records
• Interviews with psychologists or other healthcare providers
• Interviews with others who know you well
• Tests of your thinking, memory, mood, communication, attention, and processing skills with tests used to diagnose conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD
• Completing a questionnaires about your social, emotional, and/or behavioral functioning

While getting a formal diagnosis can validate your concerns, it also has benefits in helping you qualify for the types of support and resources that align with your needs. However, many people choose to bypass a diagnosis and self-identify as neurodivergent based on the way they interact with the world.

You can find many free online questionnaires and self-evaluations to determine whether your behavior aligns with neurodivergence. Although these tests do not provide a definitive diagnosis, they may be helpful.

 

How to Support and Accommodate Individuals

Research indicates that up to 15% to 20% of the U.S. population is neurodivergent, making it likely that most people interact with people who are neurodivergent in the community, in schools, and at the workplace. Supporting and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in workplaces and similar environments allows everyone to contribute their talents, skills, and perspectives in ways that can benefit all.

Since every neurodivergent individual has unique differences and skills, consider a person’s individual needs to focus on their strengths and set them up for success. Common ways to accommodate neurodivergent individuals include:

• Avoid making assumptions about an individual’s needs and preferences.
• Manage sound, smell, temperature, and/or light in the individual’s environment.
• Foster inclusivity with peers, coworkers, and fellow students.
• Reduce distractions by encouraging the use of noise-cancelling headphones and redesigning shared workspaces.
• Provide formal coaching and/or informal peer mentoring in stress management, communication, and executive functions.
• Allow regular breaks and flextime at work or school.
• Provide access to quiet areas, such as private meeting rooms, to relieve pressure.
• Provide extra support and advance notice when the individual is learning new routines or tasks.
• Permit the use of fidget toys and allow space for extra movements.
• Use straightforward communication that avoids sarcasm, implied messages, and euphemisms.
• Use clear verbal and written instructions for tasks.
• Permit the use of assistive technology and tools such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech software.
• Implement workstation adjustments such as dual screens to improve concentration.
• Provide focused training and support for employees, managers, teachers, and others who interact with and supervise neurodivergent individuals.

 

Summary

Neurodivergent people have differences in brain function that affect the way their brains work. These differences can affect behavior, interactions, and learning. They can also involve special strengths and unique skills.

Whether neurodivergent people have a formal diagnosis or not, living with these challenges can take an immense physical, emotional, and mental toll as they study, work, and live in a world designed for neurotypical people. If you think you may have a neurodivergent condition, contact a healthcare provider to learn ways to support your symptoms and discuss a diagnosis.