WHAT IS MEANT BY NEURODIVERGENT?

November 23, 2021

By Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, Contributor, and Julia Frueh, MD, Guest Contributor

1. EA
   

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.

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. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, aiming to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences. Through online platforms, more and more autistic people were able to connect and form a self-advocacy movement. At the same time, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion of "neurological minorities." While it is primarily a social justice movement, neurodiversity research and education is increasingly important in how clinicians view and address certain disabilities and neurological conditions.

AUTISM

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Here are some facts about Autism that I believe you should know:

• Early behavior-based interventions have positive effects on some children with autism spectrum disorder and less note-worthy effects on other children. Early services need to be based on individual children's needs and learning styles. Services for adults with ASD must be carefully individualized.

• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder have communication deficits. It is important to distinguish between spoken language and social communication deficits.

• Autism spectrum disorder is not degenerative. Individuals with ASD can continuously improve. They are most likely to improve with specialized, individualized services and opportunities for supported inclusion.

• Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder often care deeply but lack the ability to spontaneously develop empathic and socially connected typical behavior. Individuals with ASD often want to socially interact but lack the ability to spontaneously develop effective social interaction skills.

Although we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month which is apart of Neurodiversity, here are some facts about Dyslexia, ADHD and so much more.

• People with dyslexia are usually more creative and have a higher level of intelligence.

• Those with dyslexia use only the right side of the brain to process language, while non-dyslexics use three areas on the left side of the brain to process language.

• Dyslexia is not a disease so there is no cure. It’s a learning disability that includes difficulty in the use/processing of linguistic and symbolic codes, alphabetic letters representing speech sounds or number and quantities.

• Dyslexics do not “see” words backwards. The “b-d” letter reversal for example is mainly caused by deficits in interpreting left and right.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).

ADHD Brain Is Physically Different

Some parts may be smaller than normal, at least for a time. The frontal lobe, which controls impulses, organization, and focus, might mature more slowly in kids with ADHD.

ADHD Can Be an Advantage for Certain Careers

Some ADHD traits can be strengths in the right jobs. Research shows that people with the condition tend to be more creative, independent, or fast paced compared to others. Depending on the person, occupations like artists, fire fighter, teacher, advertising professional, and small business owner may be good fits.

ADHD Can Appear Differently At Different Times In Life
We know people who thrived in high school, but fell apart in college, when the workload was higher and they had to wash their own laundry; and people who were huge successes when they were single, but struggled mightily when they had to get their kids out of the house in the morning as well as themselves. It helps to recognize and plan for these extra stresses – and not beat yourself up when life gets harder.