What does "neurodiversity" mean?

Ever wondered? A lot of people do.

Dear Friends,

My bio says that I’m an expert on neurodiversity and mental health. Sometimes people ask me what “neurodiversity” means. (Sometimes they’re embarrassed about that.)

I don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed for asking about something they don’t quite understand, especially when they want to learn. Sure, there are some great resources on the internet that you can read. But since part of my job is being one of those resources, let me lend a hand today.

Me, at the recent Halloween horse show, dressed as a “Battle Fairy” from Dungeons and Dragons, courtesy of my son, aged 14.

I define neurodiversity like this: “the range of differences in brain function and behavior that are part of the normal variation in the human population.”

One of the key parts of that definition is “normal variation.”

There are all sorts of normal variations: height. eye color. hair color. shoe size. The thing is, some normal variations are socially penalized. If I give you a minute, I’m sure you can think of a few penalized variations. One of these penalized variations is neurodiversity.

If you are neurodivergent, then you face all sorts of harm, including stigma. (We’ll return to stigma in a minute.) So: what is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity: Three Types

When I describe neurodiversity to people who are unfamiliar with the term, I divide it into three types.

(1) Developmental disorders: These include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more.

(2) Psychiatric disabilities (also called mental illnesses): Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and so forth.

(3) Acquired mental disabilities: Post-concussion syndrome, PTSD, and brain fog all fall into this third type.

The term “neurodiversity” was coined in the context of autism back in the 1990s, but since then it has grown more expansive, and that’s a good thing.

Why? Let’s circle back to stigma.

Stigma: A Mark of Disgrace

An important study (Link, Phelan et al.) found that 33% of participants believed that a depressed person was “somewhat or very likely” to be violent. Violent?? I’m not sure if you’ve ever been depressed, but I have. When I’m depressed, the only thing I’m doing violence to is my mattress, which I’m squishing with my exhausted, depressed self.

Research shows, however, that an irrational fear of neurodivergent people permeates our society. That irrational fear is a major component of stigma.

I define stigma against neurodivergent people as a process that creates negative stereotyping and isolation, typically based on the irrational fear of undesirable behavior such as irresponsibility, instability, or violence.

There are many problems caused by stigma, including prejudice by employers, difficulty getting appropriate educational support, and fear of seeking help when a person needs it most.

That’s why we need “neurodiversity”

“Neurodiversity” creates an identity, rather than a diagnosis. The word is social, rather than medical. And when you have a social identity, then you are part of a group—in this case, a group of neurodivergent people.

When you are part of a group, then you are not alone.

If you are neurodivergent (as I defined it above), you are not alone.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone.

Your brain might currently be lying to you (especially if you are depressed), telling you that you are, indeed, alone. That you are unloved. But those words are not true.

You are loved, you are with us, and we are with you.

-Katie