Are our brains wired the same? What is neurodiversity and its significance in today’s world?

What is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is the view that differences in brain functioning are normal and that it isn’t necessarily a deficit. The underlying principle is that there is no “one correct way” of thinking, behaving, feeling, or learning against which all else can be measured.

People experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways that can be unique. Biodiversity, as a concept, celebrates the richness in the variety of life on earth. Similarly, neurodiversity involves understanding and acknowledging diversities in neurocognitive functioning among humans.

The focus of the paradigm is to remove prejudice and reduce pathologizing of differences in neurocognitive functioning. In his article: The Myth of a Normal Brain- embracing neurodiversity, Thomas Armstrong quotes Harvey Blume- “Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will prove best at any given moment?”

Neurodiversity and the Neurodiversity Movement

Neurodiversity is essentially a reference to the fact that diverse minds and brains exist. In his very interesting article on neurodiversity, Patrick Dwyer points out that this is also true for people in the neurotypical group, as no two brains or minds function in the exact same manner. However, the neurodiversity movement was an activist movement that aimed at improving the rights, welfare, and inclusivity of those considered to be in the neurologically atypical group.

How did the concept develop?

The term ‘neurodiversity’ was first used by journalist Harvey Blume in an article he published in the Atlantic. The term was coined by an Australian sociologist Judy Singer, who was a parent of a child with Asperger’s syndrome. Her conceptualization of the term was based on her observation of her daughter and studying her family tree. While the concept of neurodiversity emerged in the 1990s during the Autistic Rights Movement, it then went on to include other forms of neurodivergence such as learning disabilities and ADHD.

Why is it important?

According to CASS, one in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent. While over 77 percent of them are qualified to join the workforce, only about a small percentage of them (16 percent) are employed. The fact that there has been limited research on the strengths of the neurodivergent population for a long time, could be another aspect. In his book on neurodiversity, author Thomas Armstrong discusses the disability culture. The question he poses in the book is- should medical research (always) be disease-based? “There are plenty of studies, for example, about what’s wrong with the left hemisphere of the brains of dyslexics. Little research, however, exists on an area in the right hemisphere that processes loose word associations and may be the source of poetic inspiration.”, he says.

Significance of the concept for our society

• The neurodiversity movement helped reduce stigma around several conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, and ADHD.

• It helped bring attention to the positive aspects, and strengths of the said conditions and not just the weaknesses associated with them. It stopped viewing these conditions as something to be fixed and needing a cure.

• Promotes acceptance, social inclusion, and embracing of neurological differences

• Inclusion in workforces of the neurodivergent population

• Helped reduce stigma and increase sensitivity in the language used in reference to neurodivergent individuals.

Are there any drawbacks to this movement? - Neuroscientist Moheb Costandi, believes the movement has led to the side-lining of individuals with autism who are non-verbal in contrast to the high-functioning individuals of the spectrum. He believes, “it has romanticized autism and that some of its advocates are disregarding science by rejecting treatment and the understanding of autism as a medical condition”, according to a talk he gave at KPCC.

People in the neurodiversity paradigm, however, believe that there is a strong need to humanize individuals with autism and create treatments that have a holistic understanding of the individual, rather than trying to fix, cure or rewire them.

Conclusion

Neurodiversity is a non-medical term, that helps us understand the differences in brain functioning. Regardless of what terminology we use, it is important to acknowledge the strengths of neurodivergent individuals and what they have to offer to the society. Remaining sensitive to these differences, and the needs of individuals in the spectrum are key. Concepts like these, help us embrace different perspectives and view neurological differences from a fresh perspective.