What does it mean to be neurodivergent?
In last week's newsletter, we took a deeper look at neurodiversity…what it is and isn't, plus a bit about how to talk about about it.
This week, let's go even further and unpack neurodivergent and neurodivergence…
In 2000, neurodiversity activist Kassiane Asasumasu introduced these two terms, referring to a person with "any significant divergence from dominant cultural norms of neurocognitive functioning."
A person can be neurodivergent or have neurodivergence. This includes but is not limited to Autism, ADHD, specific learning differences (dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia), motor conditions (dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome), as well as several other communication differences, intellectual disabilities and genetic or acquired conditions.
It was Kassiane's intention at the time — and to this day — that these terms be as broad and inclusive as possible. That is even more important now, where many people and institutions seek to restrict, pathologise or otherwise gatekeep who qualifies as “legitimately” neurodivergent.
“Any less inclusive definition is not part of the ND paradigm, but part of the phenomenon of psychiatry co-opting ND language and using it in a way it was never intended.” –
Janae Elisabeth, Trauma Geek
Another thing to note is that these are not medical terms. Nor are they biological categories. They are social ones, referring to those of us whose neurological functioning does not align with the current social norms, e.g. neuronormativity.
The opposite of neurodivergent is neurotypical, describing a person who can comfortably think, behave and experience the world in ways that are considered standard by society.
Neurotypical was developed in the 1990s within the Neurodiversity Movement. The neurotypical label made it easier to have conversations around power and privilege without accepting that people who aren’t neurodivergent were somehow “normal” or the human default.
In other words, these labels enable us to step away from the medical mindset that suggests a default or “normal” way of being, with anybody deviating from it as “abnormal”.
But what about?
Some neurodivergent people are able to fit into the societal expectations of their environment. Meaning, we might mask, suppress our tendencies or sensitivities or employ any number of strategies to get through the day.
But what cost?
Blending in and performing to neuronormative standards can take its toll. The energy cost to conform or otherwise fit in is often greater and more severe than it is for others. It might require additional effort to hide the struggle and its impact on us. It might take us longer to recover.
And you might not see any of this.
This is where your awareness, curiosity and kindness can go a long way. That's also why one of the core ideas of Lens Not Label is to ASK.
Stick around, because asking (and how) is what we'll get into next week!
What would you add to any of this? We'd love to hear. Please hit reply and share your thoughts.
↓
For more perspectives on neurodivergence, Stimpunks Foundation has a great roundup of posts, tweets and more: defining neurodivergence
