Neuro Diversity in 2023

Neurodiversity recognises differences in people but these

differences are not viewed as deficits.

It describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "normal" way of thinking, learning, and being.

Neurodivergent is a non-medical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason. This means the person has different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work more typically. This term can be used to describe an individual whose brain functions differently to what we consider “normal”. This includes people with autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, dyslexia and the math dyslexia Dyscalculia as well as a range of other neurodiverse conditions that affects physical coordination. While some people who are neurodivergent have medical conditions, it also happens to people where a medical condition or diagnosis hasn’t been identified

The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities.

Neurodivergent is a term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for a myriad of reasons.

While the neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, it seems as though it’s a new thing and widespread. It’s like every second or third person you connect with tells you they have a family member who is ASD or ADHD.

And that’s exactly why and how this movement really evolved. As there are so many people in the world with different learning processes, creating inclusivity and acceptance of each and every individual was formed to embrace these neurological differences.

Judy Singer, sociologist, author and international speaker coined the term in her 1998 thesis published at the University of Technology, Sydney.

She describes it like this;

“Neurodiversity is:

- a state of nature to be respected

- an analytical tool for examining social issues

- an argument for the conservation and facilitation of human diversity”

Neurodivergent and neudiversity are words that really captures this broad spectrum of learning, behavioural and communicative differences. It looks different from person to person and it can be so slight that it’s not even noticeable or identifiable to anyone in the streets.

Although taking the time to establish a formal diagnosis can be a years long path, it not only puts people in a strong position to access to social and medical services if needed, a diagnostic explanation can be beneficial to not only assist the individual with understanding their differences, but help their family understand their differences.

Once everyone in a household has this understanding, they can better function together and create a more harmonious home environment. A diagnosis will also put the individual in a position to get the support they need, any extra care required and bolster their developmental potential especially as they move through the schooling years. This creates a better quality of life for everyone involved - from the people they share a sacred home space with to those they come in contact with now and throughout their entire life.