There are many different ways someone can be considered neurodivergent. This includes symptoms such as challenges with concentration, compromised motor functions, and barriers in communication – all of which are commonly linked to neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, etc.
“You can choose to identify yourself as neurodivergent, but you should not unilaterally assign other people the label of neurodivergent. Not all individuals with a medical diagnosis like autism or ADHD self-identify as neurodivergent. There is also no standard for a 'neurotypical brain.
“With this definition, anxiety can be considered a form of neurodivergence, although it may not be as commonly recognized as ADHD, autism, or trauma,” she says. Many people utilize self-identification to categorize themselves as being neurodivergent, explains Claney.
Other types of neurodivergence include Tourette's, dyspraxia, synesthesia, dyscalculia, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and chronic mental health illnesses such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Neurodivergence is the state of being neurodivergent and can be genetic and innate (such as autism) or produced by experiences (such as trauma).
Neurodivergence. Noun: Cognitive functioning which is not considered "typical". For example, autistic, dyslexic, and dyspraxic people.
Neurotypicals misinterpret this as being callous, narcissistic, uncaring, or socially inept. Taken together, the vulnerability of a person with ADHD to the negative feedback of others, and the lack of ability to observe oneself in the moment, make a witch's brew.
ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Tourette's syndrome are all examples of neurodiverse conditions. They're diagnostic labels used to explain the diverse ways of thinking, learning, processing and behaving. As with all people, we each have our talents and challenges.
Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or “neurotypical” person. This may be differences in social preferences, ways of learning, ways of communicating and/or ways of perceiving the environment.
If you are diagnosed with any form of neurodiversity, informing your friends, family and colleagues about it can help them understand your condition. If you disclose your diagnosis to your manager or supervisor at work, they should be able to put reasonable adjustments in place and support you with your duties.
Neurotypicals learn things more quickly in the ways that information is currently typically presented, whereas neurodiverse people may find it harder to process facts presented in this form. The latter may need more training time or different approaches because their brains are wired differently.
Learning about neurodiversity can help you move the focus from impairments towards everyone's different abilities. It is thought that up to 15% of the population are thought to be neurodiverse. The remaining majority are neurotypical.
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.
What is the most common type of neurodiversity? Among adults, dyslexia is the most common type of neurodivergent condition. Approximately 10% of adults are diagnosed with dyslexia. Around 4-5% of the population has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Just as external characteristics such as height, weight, and eye color vary widely among people, the human brain within people also varies widely.
Sensory overload — that explosive phenomenon that's sparked when the senses take in more information than the brain can process — may befall anyone. But for neurodivergent people, heightened sensitivity may trigger an avalanche of sensory information and a greater chance of overstimulation.
PTSD is also considered a form of neurodivergence. However, this is an acquired neurodivergence (meaning it is situational and can be resolved through treatment). At this point, the person may return to their neurotypical baseline.
Anxiety is not technically a kind of neurodivergence because people can have it whether they are neurodivergent or not.
Since they are constructed socially and individually, everyone can experience or present them in different ways. This applies to neurodivergent people as well. With regards to people with autism, some claim that they do not feel empathy or emotion. This notion is entirely false.