info@anvayahealthcare.com
+91-9810659825
Just like the Gym is for your body, Therapy is for your Mind
Dr. Sneha Sharma
Psychiatrist, Anvaya Healthcare
info@anvayahealthcare.com
+91-9810659825
Just like the Gym is for your body, Therapy is for your Mind
Dr. Sneha Sharma
Psychiatrist, Anvaya Healthcare
It is a world that adheres to orthodoxy, where we follow shared routines and common learning styles. The concept of neurodivergence allows us to reconsider how we think, learn, or behave. It embraces the diversity of the human mind.
Neurodivergence is beyond the medical or psychological concept, as it represents a broader cultural evolution.
Neurodiversity is a term that encompasses neurodivergence. It proposes that people with Autism, ADHD, and others are natural variations of the human brain, but it is not a disorder that needs to be fixed. These neurodivergent individuals’ brains work differently and process information in unique ways.
Neurodivergence is not a disease, but it becomes one when people start considering the differences.
Basically, Neurodivergence is an umbrella term that is not limited to only one condition and includes a wide range of neurological variations. The most common identified forms involve:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Autistic people see the world as heightened sensory perception, have unique communication styles, or show a specific interest. Many autistic people communicate that people usually misunderstand them or feel pressured to fit into this world.
Usually, Autistic people have a different way of processing sensory, social, or emotional information. These people are undoubtedly innovators, creative thinkers, or quick problem solvers.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is often misjudged as hyperactivity or a lack of discipline. Actually, ADHD includes differences in decision-making functioning. People with ADHD mostly struggle with time management or focusing, but they are very creative, rapid problem-solvers, and spontaneous. Their minds are very sharp, which makes them dynamic thinkers.
Specific Learning Disability (LSD): Specific Learning Disability is a neurodevelopment condition which causes difficulties with language and mathematical skills. It includes difficulty in reading i.e. Dyslexia, difficulty in writing i.e., Dysgraphia, and difficulty in calculations i.e., Dyscalculia. It doesn’t affect their intelligence and if proper guidance provided, they can succeed in life.
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder): Dyspraxia involves challenges with motor skills and coordination. It disturbs balance, handwriting, or organization. Apart from physical aspects, people with dyspraxia show empathy, creativity, and strong determination that encourage them rather than criticize.
Tourette Syndrome: Tourette’s Syndrome is characterized by vocal tics or involuntary movements. Though they face social challenges, but develop remarkable focus, resilience, and humor to live their life.
Society, for generations, has viewed neurodivergence through a medical or deficit perspective. According to this view, people with neurodivergence need to be diagnosed and treated. Some schools work on normalizing neurodivergent students, and workplaces adopt patterns specifically designed for neurotypical minds.
As per the neurodiversity movement, the problem is not within the person, but the environment or society, with the thinking that they are different. In short, inclusion doesn’t mean that you have to treat every person the same, but providing everyone with what they are looking for.
The important shift in understanding neurodivergence is identifying its strengths. Along with the challenges, neurodivergent individuals show exceptional qualities, including empathy, innovation, and creativity.
Creativity and Hyperfocus: ADHD or autism individuals usually deal with periods of hyperfocus, but not always. It is a reason behind groundbreaking discoveries, technological innovation, or artistic brilliance. There are artists or entrepreneurs who have ADHD who have been successful, as they can focus on creativity.
Intuition and Empathy: Many don’t know that neurodivergent individuals have empathy and deep emotional intelligence. Though these people indeed face social injustices, emotional restraints, or environmental cues.
Thinking beyond the picture: Neurodivergent people are logical thinkers, fuelling innovation from technology to art.
Despite their intelligence and strengths, neurodivergent people go through systemic barriers.
Misunderstanding and Stigma: One of the biggest hurdles is social stigma. There is a misconception such with ADHD is all about laziness or that Autism lacks empathy.
Masking and Burnout: Masking means people with neurodivergence try to hide their true selves. They basically suppress their natural behaviors to show that they are normal. While keeping the expectations of others, these people get exhausted, experience anxiety, and lose their identity.
Educational and Workplace Barriers: The standard work structure or teaching often fails to follow different learning and processing styles. This happens because they don’t have proper awareness about dealing with neurodivergent people.
Mental Health Impacts: The risk of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem increases when neurodivergent people experience social isolation, misunderstanding, and pressure.
To support the Neurodivergent people, it is important to spread awareness and empathy. Here are some steps that can be adapted by schools, organizations, and individuals to support them.
Learn and listen: It is essential to respect neurodivergent people and their voices. Rather than judging them, ask them what excites them more.
Provide flexible environments: It is best to offer choices, flexible deadlines, alternative communication methods, and quiet spaces in workplaces and schools. Such kind of small changes can bring a world of differences.
Redefining success: It is not necessary to set identical benchmarks for everyone, especially with neurodivergent people. These people are blessed with creative thinking, persistence, or problem-solving.
Use inclusive language: Try not to use pathological terms such as ‘disorder’ when not required. There are relative terms as well that can affect neurodivergent people.
Inspire Self-Advocacy: Understanding the requirements of neurodivergent people is essential to support them. This helps them to express their emotions and respond to society very well.
Obviously, representation matters to encourage neurodivergent people to portray themselves in the field of leadership, media, or education. By this, they get the validation of their acceptance.
Nowadays, cinemas are also moving from stereotypes and showing how neurodivergent characters are different yet creative. Similarly, workplaces are also following neuroinclusion policies, which include hiring programs for ADHD, autism, and other special needs. Such changes are powerful to help individuals boost their creativity and innovation.
Don’t overlap Neurodivergence and Mental Health.
Well, it is important to know that neurodivergence is not a mental illness. But many people confuse them as one. The neurodivergent individuals often experience depression, burnout, or anxiety because of social pressure or misunderstanding. It doesn’t mean that these are neurological traits.
Can you imagine a world where people opt for multiple learning styles, workplaces celebrate creativity, and the conversation about brain differences is pretty normal?
This is a neurodiversity promise to create a world where differences are seen not as a problem but as a gift. It can only come true when society starts valuing all minds equally and everyone gets benefits.
Understanding neurodivergence is all about acceptance. It always reminds us that difference is not always disorder and every brain has its own uniqueness. Next time you meet someone who thinks or feels differently, you must consider that they don’t need to fit in this world.
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