Demystifying Neurodivergent: Embracing Neurodiversity

What is Neurodivergent?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Why do we keep labeling people (like neurodivergent) because they may be a little different.

Certaintly, in my eyes, different is wonderful. You’re not the boring norm. All in all, everybody is different in their own unique way. Period!

What Does Neurodivergent Mean Anyway?

Generally, neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals whose brains process, learn or behave differently from what we may consider “typical”.

Therefore, it may be used by those with formal diagnoses like dyslexia, ADHD or those on the autism spectrum, to describe themselves and their needs.

It may also be used by those without formal diagnoses, but who experience behaviors or traits that impact their daily lives and so they identify as being part of the wider community.

What are the Symptoms of Neurodivergent?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Signs of neurodivergence can vary from individual to individual, but some common ones include the following:

Firstly, difficulty with social interaction
Difficulty with communication
Processing sensory information
Fourthly, issues with focus and concentration
Intense interest in a particular topic or activity
Stuck in repetitive behaviors or routines
Additionally, difficulty following instructions
Difficulty organizing thoughts
Lastly, Difficulty with filtering out external stimuli

What does neurotypical mean?

Furthermore, the word “neurotypical” refers to people who have brains that function in a similar way to most of their peers.

Individuals who are neurotypical develop skills, such as social or organizational skills, at around the same rate as others their age.

They can also tolerate change, disruption in routines, and distractions without too much difficulty.

They Are Different and Have Their own Abilities and Struggles

Is being neurodivergent a disability?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity.

Some neurodivergent people struggle because of systems or processes that don’t give them a chance to show off their strengths.

Also, to create new or more intense challenges for them.

For someone with a disability, an accommodation is a way to accept that they’re different or have challenges. Also, to give them a tool or a way to succeed.

Accommodations for people with disabilities isn’t a new idea. Some examples include:

Physical disabilities: Hence, ramps and entrances with automatic doors for those in wheelchairs.
Sensory disabilities: By the same token, crosswalks with a loud tone for those who have vision problems to let them know it’s safe to cross the street.

Why use the term neurodivergent to describe people?

Some people oppose the idea of neurodiversity as being about differences instead of deficits.

Although, many who take that stance say they’re against it because some who are neurodivergent have true medical conditions that need treatment.

However, research shows that knowing about the idea of neurodiversity doesn’t mean people who are neurodivergent ignore or deny that they have struggles.

Instead, the research shows people who know about the idea of being neurodivergent use that knowledge to adapt and help them succeed.

Research Shows

Experts’ research also shows words and language related to neurodiversity make a difference in how people live.

Therefore, people who are neurodivergent and learn that it means they’re different — not sick or defective — are more likely to be happier and aim higher in their careers.

An example of this is someone who has dyslexia. People with that condition struggle to read because their brain doesn’t process written language like the brain of someone without dyslexia.

However, people with dyslexia usually have brains that are better at processing or mentally picturing 3D objects.

By and large, that makes them much faster at identifying optical illusions, and they have a natural talent for jobs like graphic design and arts, engineering and more.

What is Anxiety Neurodivergent?

Is anxiety considered neurodivergent?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Anxiety is not technically a neurodivergent disorder, but it can manifest differently in people with neurodivergent conditions.

Neurodivergence is when a person’s brain processes information differently from what is considered typical. On the other hand, anxiety is an emotional response to stress or perceived threats.

However, people with neurodivergent conditions may have unique challenges in managing and coping with anxiety.

For example, someone who is already autistic might have significant issues in social situations and experience anxiety as a result. In this case, the anxiety serves as a symptom of their neurodivergent condition, not the other way around.

Is Anxiety Neurological or Psychological?

Consequently, in the vast realm of mental health, neurological anxiety stands as one of the most prevalent disorders. It’s a pervasive issue that affects millions worldwide.

However, anxiety is not solely a psychological phenomenon. It’s intricately linked with our nervous system. Even more, it’s leading to an intriguing intersection between neurology and psychology.

The Intersection Between Anxiety and Neurodiversity

Research shows that many neurodivergent people experience co-occurring mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

For example, autistic people are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression than others, especially if they are part of a gender minority or lack support.

Also, people with ADHD may also be more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.

Neurodivergent Adults and Self-Care

Daily Routine

While predominantly aimed at younger autists and their parents, Autism Wellbeing CIC’s downloadable resources are still very valuable.

Subsequently, they cover brushing teeth and hair, getting dressed, and much more.

Resources that are possibly more relevant to teens and adults include: video calls, menstruation, and smear tests.

Food and Nutrition

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Nutrition is a very important element in managing ADHD symptoms.

Obviously, eating a balanced diet with plenty of brain-friendly food and avoiding sugar as much as possible is key to this.

In brief, individuals with ADHD have trouble with consistency and tend to live in the present rather than the future.

However, while implementing new food habits can be daunting, it’s important to try and ingrain these now rather than later to be healthier. Also, because your metabolism slows down as you age.

Sports and Exercise

Overall, for anyone, including neurodivergent individuals, exercise and physical activity will have a positive effect on their overall physical and mental health.

Exercise can raise your serotonin levels, reduce your cholesterol, and just generally help build a healthy body.

Nonetheless, the feel-good factor that accompanies exercise of any kind is evidenced enough of this.

For this reason, people with ADHD have reported feeling more settled and focused after an exercise session.

Plus, there’s the added bonus of the satisfaction of having finished a task.

Sleep and Rest

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Sleep issues are linked to almost every kind of neurodiversity.

In any event, your brain needs rest, and learning difficulties tend to be neurodevelopmental disorders, so sleep is highly important… but also easily disturbed.

In particular, to truly understand how sleep issues are when it comes to neurodevelopment disorders, here is a study on insomnia in tourette syndrome and chronic tic disorder.

Markedly, the results show that the odds of people with TS/CTD seeking treatment for insomnia within the study period was 6.7 times higher than the general population.

Additional Common Questions About Neurodivergent

Can people who are neurodivergent be successful?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity. Yes, many people who are neurodivergent are accomplished and successful.

Thus, more and more people who are neurodivergent are talking about their experiences. Some examples of famous and successful people who are neurodivergent include:

Firstly, animal scientist and author Temple Grandin.
Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Musician and singer Florence Welch.
Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
Lastly, climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Experts also believe several accomplished historical figures were neurodivergent based on evidence from their lives. Those include:

Firstly, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist Marie Curie.
Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.
Artist Vincent Van Gogh.
Inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla.
Lastly, author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

What are some things I can do to support someone who is neurodivergent?

Demystifying neurodivergent: embracing neurodiversity.

In fact, there are many things people can do to be supportive of neurodivergent individuals. Some of the most important things you should keep in mind include:

Listen. Subsequently, people who are neurodivergent may feel misunderstood or left out. Be willing to listen to them. Let them know you hear them and respect them and their choices.
Communicate in ways that help them. Sometimes, people who are neurodivergent prefer written communication such as instant messaging, texting or emails over a phone call or face-to-face conversation. So, give them the time and tools they need to communicate.
Avoid value-based labels. In short, experts recommend against using the terms “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” to describe conditions like autism. In reality, they often assume a person’s level of function based on how much they behave like someone who’s neurotypical.
No two neurodivergent people are the same. In truth, the personalities and preferences of neurodivergent people can be widely different. Even when they have the same underlying condition.
Don’t assume that anyone is incapable or unintelligent. Wereas, people who are neurodivergent often have conditions or preferences that make them stand out or appear different.
Treat everyone with respect. Also, you can “normalize” and provide others with accommodations in a way that honors their human dignity.

Here are a few books that cover Neurodiversity:

Rudolph E. Tanzi, Ph.D. and Deepak Chopra, MD: “Super Brain: Unleashing the Explosive Power of Your Mind to Maximize Health, Happiness, and Spiritual Well-Being”.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, MD: “The Perricone Promise” and “The Perricone Prescription.”

Articles About Neurodivergent

-What Is Neurodiversity?

https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/what-is-neurodiversity

-Neurodivergent

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent

-10 Neurodiversity Symptoms Every Employer Should Know

https://www.weareelements.io/insight/10-neurodiversity-symptoms-every-employer-should-know

Have a Good One,

Cindee Murphy, One Voice In The Vastness Of Emotions

“Autism is not a tragedy; it’s a unique and beautiful way of being. It’s a reminder that our world is more vibrant when we embrace neurodiversity.”

“Autism is about having a pure heart and being very sensitive… It is about finding a way to survive in an overwhelming, confusing world… It is about developing differently, in a different pace and with different leaps.” – Naoki Higashida

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