Neurodiversity vs Neurodivergence
One of the brain’s functions is processing information.
Folks considered neurodivergent process information differently than folks
considered neurotypical. Often a neurodivergent processes some information in a
way which makes them challenged by society and processes other information in
a remarkable way which make them uniquely valuable to society.
Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes, feels the diversity of human cognition
hidden behind diagnostic labels like Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder,
Dyslexia, and others has played an important role in
the functioning and flourishing of human society for millennia.
Jenara Nerenberg, author of Divergent Mind, celebrates the burgeoning
neurodiversity movement as recognizing and celebrating the diversity of brain
makeups instead of pathologizing some as “normal” and others as “abnormal.”
Research suggests that 40% of the world population
falls into one of the categories identified as “neurodivergent”.
Which suggests to me that the 60% called “neurotypical”
is merely the portion of the neurological spectrum
whose particular diverse characteristics haven’t been categorized yet
Once categorized, they’ll be identified as neurodivergent, too.
And “neurodiversity” will be obsolete.
No one should have to struggle to “fit into” a “typical” world.
We can simply acknowledge the natural diversity of each of us.
Which lets everyone automatically fit into our diverse world.
Photo by Hal Gatewood