Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome, and others—are natural variations of the human brain rather than deficits or disorders that need to be “fixed.” It emphasises that people experience and interact with the world in many different ways and that there is no single “right” way of thinking, learning, or behaving.
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Perspective: It promotes acceptance and inclusion rather than pathologising these differences.
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Social Model: Neurodiversity aligns with the social model of disability, which suggests that societal barriers, not just individual impairments, are what disable people.
- Movement: The neurodiversity movement advocates for the rights, dignity, and contributions of neurodivergent individuals.
It’s important to note that while neurodiversity recognises natural variation, it doesn’t ignore the challenges people face; rather, it seeks to support individuals in ways that respect their unique needs and strengths.
It is also important to recognise that whilst medication works for some, it is helpful to gain support to develop the Executive Skills that are particularly challenging in relation to ADHD. These skills are recognisable from as young as 17 months and develop through to 26 years of age. Seated in the pre-frontal cortex the Executive Skills are as follows:
- Sustaining focus
- Working memory
- Goal orientated focus
- Planning and prioritisation
- Organisation
- Time management
- Metacognition (thinking about how we think)
- Cognitive flexibility & emotional regulation
