ontheedgeofeverything

Neurodivergence is a term that I would argue has gained tremendous traction in the mental health realm over the past couple of years. I feel as though the term was almost unheard of up until relatively recently, and because many people are unfamiliar with the term, I thought I would discuss it here with all of you.

Here is a brief blurb about neurodivergence, pulled from helpguide.org.

“Coined by Judy Singer in 1997, the concept of ‘neurodiversity’ acknowledges the differences in the human brain. Instead of saying people with neurodevelopmental differences—such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia—are ‘broken’ or need to be ‘fixed,’ neurodiversity accepts that natural differences occur. People think, learn, communicate, and process things differently, and there’s nothing amiss in that.”

I think this might be the most pleasant definition of the term I’ve encountered yet, hence why I am referencing helpguide.org specifically.

In my own terms, similar to what the blurb I pulled from the website says, being neurodivergent simply means you think differently than the average person, and I find it to be incredibly interesting.

The website also explains how there is a distinct difference between being neurotypical and neurodivergent.

“Neurotypical refers to a person whose brain functions and processes in what society would deem a ‘typical’ or standard way. If you are neurotypical, you may find it easier to meet societal expectations. You may be able to navigate conversations without much thought, for example, or feel at ease in classrooms that use traditional learning methods. You likely don’t experience irregular sensory issues, and as a child, you probably met all the standard developmental milestones.

“The experiences of a neurodivergent person can be very different. If you’re neurodivergent, your brain works in ways that other people may not expect. For example, you could feel intensely focused on a particular interest for long periods of time, or your communication style or sensory experiences may not quite match those of your peers. You might feel as if you need to ‘mask’ your true self to fit in.”

Fascinating stuff.

Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash