Neurodivergence seems to be the buzzword of the year. (Or at least of my year, as I discover more and more about my brain.) It pops up all over social media, in blog articles, in reels, and in conversations among friends. But what does “neurodivergence” or “neurodivergent” mean, and why is it important? 

In this article, we will explore the basics of what it means to be neurodivergent and look at some tips on finding resources to help you on your journey.

What Is Neurodivergence?

The term ‘neurodivergent’ refers to brains that function outside of the “norm” as defined by society. Simply put, brains that work differently than normal, which is why I like the term ‘neurodifferent.’

Most people use the term to refer to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

However, neurodivergence actually covers many more conditions, such as:

• Dyslexia 
• Dyspraxia 
• Dyscalculia 
• Dysgraphia 
• DiGeorge Syndrome
• Down Syndrome
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Tourette Syndrome
• Williams Syndrome
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Non-verbal Learning Disorder
• A host of chronic mental health disorders, such as:
  •  Bipolar Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
  • Social Anxiety

What is the opposite of neurodivergent?

If neurodivergent means functioning outside the norm, then neurotypical means functioning within the norm.

Neurotypical people generally go through life hitting all the standard developmental and behavioral milestones on time. They most likely never even wonder if their brains function differently (or similarly) to others. 

What does “functioning outside the norm” mean? 

At the most simple level, neurodivergent people have brains that work, learn, or process differently than a “typical” person. 

You may struggle with certain tasks that neurotypical people do not, but you also might excel at other tasks better than a neurotypical person would.

For example, people with ADHD may struggle at keeping their desks organized or being on time to important appointments, but they can excel at thinking outside the box and problem-solving creatively.

A person with dyslexia has trouble processing written language, but can mentally picture 3D objects better than a neurotypical person.

Can Neurodivergence Be “Fixed”?

Up until recently, the common view was that neurodivergent brains were “broken.” It was thought that people with sensory, behavioral, social, or attention difficulties should be made to fit in. (Some professionals and therapies still operate this way.)

However, nowadays, the view is changing to recognize that brains working differently is normal and should be accommodated for. There is a push towards changing environments and tasks to better fit the neurodivergent person, rather than changing the neurodivergent person to fit the task or environment.

(There are some really great examples of this in KC Davis’ book: How to Keep House While Drowning.) 

Late-diagnosis

Learning that neurodivergence is a constant can be a shock to people who do not get diagnosed until adulthood. The realization can turn all of your memories on their heads, allowing you a new viewpoint into your past. 

It can be jarring to realize that you actually had been struggling your whole life for a legitimate reason, and that it was not just that you were a “bad” or “lazy” person.

If you find out as an adult that you are neurodivergent, you might be tempted to find solutions to “fix” your struggles. While there is no overall “fix,” there are ways to manage some neurodivergent conditions through therapy and/or medication.  

Finding Resources and Help

How do I find out more?

If you know which neurodivergent diagnosis you have, you can simply type the name of it into a search engine and click away. Or visit an online bookstore and type the name into that search bar to find books on your topic.

If you are not completely sure which neurodivergent type(s) apply to you, or if any apply to you, you will have to do some more general research first. Searching for articles on “neurodivergence” and “neurodiversity” can help get you started. Read up on multiple examples of neurodivergence and see what resonates with you.

Included below are links to the articles I used to read and gather information on the basics of neurodivergence for this article:

You may also check out the resources tab on the NeuroTiff blog. 

Seeking help

There are many online spaces full of neurodivergent people that you could check out. You can find them on social media platforms as well as on blogs (like this one). It can be exciting and a relief to communicate with other people whose brains work similarly to your own.

Similar to my instructions above, simply searching “neurodivergence” on a social media platform will bring up a plethora of options for groups, pages, reels, etc. to interact with and join. 

If you are trying to seek a formal diagnosis, consult with a healthcare provider and/or specialist. There may be quizzes and screeners online, but they cannot be used as formal evidence that you have a certain diagnosis.

It is becoming increasingly common to self-diagnose due to barriers in seeking a formal diagnosis, such as cost and skewed diagnostic criteria. Self-diagnosis is generally valid in neurodivergent spaces, but cannot be used to receive accommodations in school or at work.

What Did You Think?

Thanks for reading! Hopefully, you gained some information. Please let me know below what you would like to read about, how I could improve, or any questions you may have. I’m just starting out, and I like to think that the posts will only get better from here LOL.