What does neurodiversity even mean, fella?

Hey there, Earthlings! Ever heard the term "neurodiversity" and wondered if it's the latest sci-fi buzzword or maybe a secret code language? Well, let's dive into the wonderful world of neurodiversity and demystify it together.

What on Earth Is Neurodiversity Anyway?

Imagine you’re at your favorite local pizza shop holding a pizza party, the air is cool, the slices are wafting yummy delicious smells all around you, and you've got a table full of pizza slices. Some slices are pepperoni, some are vegetarian, some have extra cheese, and a few are… pineapple (controversial, I know). That's a lot of pizza diversity, right? Well, our brains are a bit like that pizza party. They come in all sorts of flavors, and that's what neurodiversity is all about.

Neuro-What Now?

Neurodiversity is the idea that there's no one "normal" way for our brains to work. It celebrates the fact that our brains and bodies are as unique as our taste in pizza toppings. Some of us might have brains that are super-duper organized and follow schedules to the minute (the "Pepperoni Planners"), while others have brains that are more spontaneous and full of creative chaos (the "Pineapple Dreamers"). And guess what? Both are awesome. Both are useful in various scenarios, and both come with limitations in other situations.

A few more terms to know. Neurodivergence is a term to capture some of the different “pizza flavors” at our hypothetical party. This may include but is not limited to … Autistics, ADHDers, and AuDHDers (a blend of Autism + ADHD).

Allistic is a term that refers to a neurotypical brain, it may be the most common neurotype, but it isn’t “the normal one”. Let’s go back to the pizza party analogy again. Pepperoni pizza and cheese pizza might be the most statistically prevalent types. The majority of the pizza shop is stocked and supplied for building pepperoni pizzas or cheese pizzas. But the Hawaiian-style pizza, the Sicilian-style pies, and the built-to-order custom pizzas give the shop some pizzazz, break up the monotony, and give you some options. The world (and the pizza shop) would be quite boring to just have pep and cheese pizzas only … only that, all the time, forever, right?

The Neurodiversity Rainbow

So, what kinds of slices are in the neurodiversity pizza party? Well, there's Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia & Dysgraphia, various Sensory Processing-related diagnoses, Synesthesia, and many more. Each "slice" brings its own set of strengths, challenges, and superpowers to the table. For example, some folks with ADHD are like walking brainstorming machines, constantly coming up with brilliant ideas (even if the follow-through is tricky, and they probably forgot where they left their keys amidst the brainstorming magic). Individuals with autism often have incredible attention to detail, perfect for spotting that one pixel out of place in your graphic design project. Synesthesia refers to cross-wiring of the brain in such a way that people can taste numbers (or see colors) as they are processing them, or experience numbers as shapes - how incredible is that?

Different, Not Broken

You know how sometimes you might get those weird looks (and maybe some side eye) when you mosey up to the shop counter and ask for pineapple pizza? Well, neurodivergent folks often face misunderstandings, as well as additional challenges and stressors in life (at school, work, and in relationships) because our brains work differently. Scratch that. Let me rewrite that.

Neurodivergent folks often face misunderstandings, as well as additional stressors in life for a myriad of reasons. Not because of brains that work differently. Those additional challenges are stressors are a result of … existing in a world built for Allistics (rather than a world built for all humans); a world where diagnosis and appropriate support are inaccessible to most (slow and difficult to access even if you can eventually get there); a world where neurodivergence accomodations are like trying to simultaneously pull teeth, roll Sisyphus’ boulder, and fight an uphill battle all at the same time; a world where the lack of understanding, widespread psychoeducation about neurodivergence (even in the mental health field and among trained clinicians who are supposed to be providers), and the double empathy problem is a constant source of frustration. Okay, stepping down from the soap box now.

So here's the deal: being neurodivergent doesn't mean you're broken or need fixing. Even if a lifetime of interactions, challenges, and experiences existing in an Allistic world that was not built for your neurotype has convinced you of this idea. I promise. It just means that your brain and body were built differently - that you have a unique way of thinking, feeling, experiencing, and processing the world (and life). And if this idea of being broken or needing to be fixed has come up for you, it indicates that you likely haven’t been receiving the kinds of accommodations and support that you need yet.

It is possible to co-create and build a world that is inclusive and responsive to the needs and ways of being of all people. And that starts with building a life for yourself that meets your neurodivergent needs. A life that takes into account the supports and structures that are necessary for you to have a high quality of life and life experiences (the long-winded way to explain disability accommodations). And a life that leans into the unique gifts and talents you possess so that you can thrive. From there, you can start building that for your children and family as well (because there’s a high likelihood they are neurodivergent as well, but more on that later). If we keep expanding that outwards, we as a whole can build a more inclusive, responsive (and ultimately more interesting) world. Little by little. One pizza party, one conversation, one article at a time.

Inclusivity Is the Name of the Game

Neurodiversity isn't just about understanding and accepting different brains (so basic); it's about celebrating and appreciating the hell out of them. Imagine if the pizza shop insisted that everyone at the pizza party could eat only pepperoni, and that’s all that would be available now forever, missing out on all the delicious variations. Boring, right?

In a nutshell (or a pizza box as it may be), neurodiversity is all about recognizing that our brains are wonderfully diverse and that this diversity should be honored and included (at the very least) and celebrated (at our best) in every aspect of life. So, the next time you meet someone with a brain that's a bit different from yours, give 'em a hug, or a high-five (or a quick wave from across the room, if that's more your style) and celebrate the neurodiversity pizza party we're all a part of.