Neurodivergency is a concept that has been increasingly appearing in medical terminology over the past few years. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, and in my own words, it refers to someone who thinks and processes information differently than someone who is neurotypical, or, for lack of better terminology, ‘normal.’ Individuals who are neurodivergent are often diagnosed with conditions such as autism, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
While it might sound like a disadvantage, there is nothing wrong with being neurodivergent. I am, and at times, I consider my atypical brain to be an advantage.
I came across an Instagram post a little while ago discussing the positives that come with neurodivergency and sports, and because I found the topic so intriguing, I wanted to dedicate a post to it. The following information comes from readtheplay.org.
“In 1997, sociologist Judy Singer introduced the term ‘neurodiversity’ – a concept that beautifully reflects the simple truth that brains are wired in many different ways. From autism and ADHD to dyslexia and dyspraxia, neurodiversity embraces these variations as part of the natural spectrum of human thinking, not as problems to be fixed.
“Elite sport is a unique environment. It demands focus, routine, and goal-driven behaviour – traits often associated with ADHD and autism. In fact, these very differences might contribute to athletic success. Yet, despite their potential, neurodivergent athletes remain largely invisible in research and underrepresented in sporting systems.
“Recent insights suggest that up to 40% of elite athletes may be neurodivergent. But the voices and needs of these athletes are still missing from the conversation. This gap presents an incredible opportunity: embracing neuroinclusion in sport could not only unlock performance potential but also create mentally healthier, more inclusive sporting environments,” the web page explains.
I realize the excerpt I included does have a bit of a negative tone towards its end, but for part one of this topic, I’m asking us to focus on the positives. I suspect that a lot of us, when we hear the term ‘neurodiversity,’ unintentionally allow our thoughts to consider how it is a disadvantage, so it is incredibly refreshing to read about how it is, in fact, an advantage in areas such as sport.
Photo by Tom Briskey on Unsplash
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