Neurodivergence refers to how brains work differently from one person to another; in one way or another, that is considered normal. There’s nothing problematic when someone operates differently from the other. Being neurodivergent doesn’t necessarily mean that you are disabled—neurodiversity embraces all differences.
Neurodivergence manifests itself in different ways, ranging from mild and moderate to severe, which can be more obviously noticed.
What Does Being Neurodivergent Mean
Being neurodivergent is the idea that an individual has a specific diagnosis of developmental disorders, which are not necessarily mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. When an individual’s thought patterns and behaviors fall outside what is considered normal, that person is said to be neurodivergent.
Types of Neurodivergence – What Does it Mean to be Neurodivergent?
As mentioned, neurodivergence manifests in different ways. In this case, and since that brain works differently, it’s not surprising to know that there are different types of neurodivergence, as discussed below.
Autism
Autism is the most common brain disorder. It ranges from mild to severe and has some subtypes such as Asperger’s and Pervasive Developmental Disorder [PDD]. Both are classified as Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD], which can affect your behavior or emotions.
Autism comes with conditions that may challenge someone’s social skills, verbal communication skills, and repetitive behaviors.
People who have autism often display some behavioral characteristics. Some of these traits include paying too much attention to details to understand them. They are also very creative and lack good visual learning abilities.
Dyslexia
This type of neurodivergence entails speaking, writing, and reading. Dyslexia generally involves misreading and confusion with certain letters, and one may find it difficult to organize words to make sentences. It may also challenge your pronunciation of words or even give you trouble while acquiring a vocabulary.
As stated earlier, being neurodivergence doesn’t mean that you are disabled. People with dyslexia tend to be more creative since they have strong spatial awareness. They also thrive at visual processing, and they are very intelligent.
Types of Neurodivergence – What Does it Mean to be Neurodivergent?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is when an individual finds it difficult to organize and manage his thoughts, attention, emotions, and behaviors. People with ADHD may become restless, and when experiencing and expressing a strong emotion, they can show unsuitable behavior.
Most people with these conditions are said to be fun and energetic. They are also more sensitive and are great problem solvers since they are very intelligent.
Tourette’s Syndrome
Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that affects the nervous system and mostly starts in childhood. It involves unwanted and repetitive movements or unwanted sounds. Some signs of Tourette syndrome are so mild that they are unnoticeable. Others can be so severe that they are easily noticed and worsen due to stress, excitement, or even if you fall ill. If the signs become more severe, they can even affect your social life due to embarrassment.
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when a person acquires an extra chromosome, either full or partial, during cell division. This extra chromosome leads to changes in the development of the physical features of down syndrome.
Down syndrome ranges in severity from one person, causing a lifetime mental disability and delayed milestones. Since it’s a genetic disorder, it affects children’s learning skills and can lead to other medical problems, such as heart defects.
People suffering from this condition may show both intellectual and developmental disorders mildly, moderately, or even severely. While you can live healthily with this condition, it can also lead to significant health problems like heart problems.
Types of Neurodivergence – What Does it Mean to be Neurodivergent?
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition that affects the central nervous system, thus affecting the normal functioning of the brain. It can lead to loss of awareness, seizures, and even unusual or abnormal behaviors. Epilepsy can affect both genders, but men are more prone due to higher exposure to risk factors such as alcohol. It also affects people of different ages though it’s common in young children and the elderly.
Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy and differ among individuals depending on the type of seizure.
Synesthesia
Synesthesia is a neurological disorder in which the information sent is perceived differently. People who suffer from synesthesia are said to have intertwined senses. This condition is genetically inherited; a child can be born with it or develop it early during childhood.
Signs of Neurodivergence
People who suffer from neurodivergence may find it difficult to notice its signs until they are adults depending on their neurodivergence problem. Neurodivergence can exist with or without a diagnosis. In most cases, neurodivergence occurs from the birth period. Below are some of the signs characterized by neurodivergence:
- A neurodivergent person may find it difficult to read and write
- They become clumsy
- A person keeps off from crowded areas, bright lights, sudden or loud noises, and even social gatherings
People who are neurodivergent find it more challenging to concentrate and focus. They can’t keep calm.
They can’t respond socially, and in most cases, they are never smiling
Some suffer from inflexibility; they cannot adapt to changes or interests based on their age or situation.
Causes of Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence can be caused by several factors, such as genetics, as seen in a condition like Down Syndrome.
It can also be brought about by Trauma at birth, infectious diseases, Nutritional factors, physical Trauma, or immune disorders.
Can Neurodivergent Be Cured
We mentioned earlier that neurodivergence is the unique and special way an individual’s brain develops and functions. It isn’t easy to control, prevent, treat or even cure neurodivergence, but a neurodivergent can manage it. However, neurodivergent people need love, care, accommodation, and acceptance.
What Does it Mean to be Neurodivergent? Bottom Line
Neurodivergence is a concept that portrays neurological differences as normal as opposed to psychological problems. While being neurodivergent can harden your life, it can make specific tasks easier. Some people with neurodivergence can stay focused for a long time, while others possess strong observational skills.
Neurodivergent is not a disability.
