Introduction: What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to the different ways an individual brain functions and processes information. The term is used to label those with diverse brain functions in cognition, processing, and behavioral patterns. Examples of neurodiversity that most people are aware of include ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and Tourette’s.
Key Points of Neurodiversity:
These are well known to affect everyday living, including things such as learning, attention span, social ability, and other mental traits.
Recognition of Natural Variation:
One of the key elements of neurodiversity is acknowledging that neurological differences are not a deformity but rather natural and part of the human spectrum. Because of this, there cannot be a distinctive “normal” way to think and act. Instead, we must be inclusive of other behavior types and appreciate these differences as a reflection of the diversity inherent in all people.
Strengths and Challenges:
Such individuals possess unique qualities such as creativity, focus, attention to detail, or problem-solving abilities. But with these strengths, challenges arise, including difficulties in social interaction and maintaining attention. However, one of their key ethos is that both strengths and challenges are important and therefore should be recognized and valued.
Inclusion and Acceptance:
The movement encourages neurodivergent individuals to be included and accepted in all aspects of society and to challenge all negative stigma, marginalization, and types of discrimination against those with neurological differences.
Respecting Neurological Differences:
Another key element is promoting a mindset that respects all ways of thinking, learning, and interacting, recognizing that such differences enhance the quality of human experience. Society should be a pillar of support for such individuals according to their needs and preferences.
Change in Society:
Finally, neurodiversity promotes change in society, creating a more open and inclusive environment that offers such individuals support and enables them to thrive. It tackles societal barriers and the lack of accommodations.
Understanding Neurodiversity:
Now, why should this matter to you? Well, more people fall under this category than you may think, with roughly fifteen to twenty percent of the world’s population experiencing some form of neurodiversity—that is, almost 1.5 billion people. Therefore, you must realize there are more ways of thinking than your own. Before you question or judge someone, consider the possibility that they may have difficulties processing and learning.
It is vital to understand neurodiversity and its implications when growing up and meeting all types of new people, whether going off to university, starting a new job, or even in typical social settings.
It is commonly misjudged because there is not enough education about neurodiversity in schools, and it is falsely portrayed as a laughing matter due to the lack of awareness from students, which is no fault of their own but of the education system itself. This causes generations to go on without understanding the topic, leading to a constant cycle of division. Although many people deem the term a Western world label used to categorize people, it helps us understand how many of us think and process information.
Despite it being a Western world creation, it is not to say that we should ignore the matter, as many other things today fall under the same term, but we still have to live with them. After all, these labels help us identify minor tweaks in the brain’s functioning, but still, everyone’s brain, even within these categories, is not the same.
Learn More About What It Means to Be Neurodivergent:
Neurodiversity is not something that neurotypicals should be afraid of. Neurotypical refers to typical cognition processing. It is, quite simply, a hidden disability and challenging to control.
Neurodivergence in Society:
Yet, neurodiverse people often see their ‘disability’ as a superpower, allowing them to think outside the box and create using methods beyond the norm. This is why eighteen percent or more of people in advertising, marketing, and media have one or more neurodiverse traits. Some of the most remarkable people to surface on the planet, such as Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, and Muhammad Ali, fall into one of these categories.
Conclusion:
Neurodiversity is apparent in society and has a huge effect on human interaction. It’s important to understand that we don’t all think the same and to appreciate these differences in individuals when we socialize.
