What Is Neurodiversity?
In this article, Colin Foley, Training Director at The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, explores neurodiversity as a celebration of natural differences in thinking and learning. He discusses the shift from a medical approach to a social model that emphasises understanding, inclusion, and support for neurodiverse individuals.
Differences in brain function
The term “neurodiversity” refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and the associated behavioural traits. The concept of “ neurodiversity” also regards such differences as part of the normal variation within the human population. It represents a new way of both understanding different neuro-cognitive profiles as well as embracing this diversity positively.
How do we 'see' Neurodiversity?
In recent years, the conversation has moved away from viewing people who have a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition from a medical perspective, sometimes called the “Medical Model of Neurodiversity", that is, that a person has a diagnosable condition with a set of symptoms that need to be managed. Many people now view neurodiversity through the “social model.” The social model of neurodiversity is a way of thinking about neurodivergence that stresses that neurodiverse people are not “disabled” by their differences, but rather the problem is society. Neurodiverse people are disabled by society's failure to understand, accept and accommodate them.
A strength based approach
At The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, we are passionate in taking a strength based approach to neurodiversity. This means that we believe that neurodiverse people have unique skills and qualities associated with their neurocognitive profiles and it is important that these are understood, and that people are given the opportunity and support if needed to realise these qualities and achieve their potential.
The importance of the word neurodiversity
The word “neurodiversity” first appeared in 1998 in an article by American journalist Harvey Blume and is also widely attributed to the sociologist, Judy Singer. Since the 1990s, a movement of people has emerged who advocate for the rights of neurodiverse people and embrace the concept of neurodiversity as one of a range of diversities including, for example, race, ethnicity and sexuality.
Righting the wrongs of the past
Understanding that neurodiversity is just a natural variation of human experience has been critical to addressing some of the assumptions that were made about neurodiverse people and some of the scientific and psychological interventions that were practiced in the past. A good example of this is how our understanding about autism has developed. In the past, it was common practice to try to reduce or suppress some autistic traits, for example, some stimming behaviours or to instil so-called neurotypical behaviours like eye contact through interventions.
There is now more understanding of the challenges this approach presented to people and their mental health and well being. The growing acceptance of the concept of neurodiversity has now led to an increased understanding that, for example, some forms of repetitive behaviours by some autistic people can be helpful for sensory and emotional regulation.
The future of neurodiversity
The increasing acceptance of the concept of neurodiversity will, we believe, lead in the future to a much more positive approach to supporting neurodiverse people. There remain significant challenges in clinical services with too few services and long waiting times for diagnosis. In education, there is work to be done in adapting the education system, especially assessment and qualifications but the future will be more positive as we learn from the mistakes of the past because of our developing understanding of neurodiversity as a natural variation in human cognitive potential.