What is Neurodiversity?
Everyone’s brain works a bit differently, and we all see the world in different ways. But some people’s brains work in substantially different ways than for the general population. Many people have what medical science refers to as “disorders”. Some of the most common disorders are ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Even within these conditions, individuals may still be profoundly impacted in many different ways.
The importance of neurodiversity cannot be understated. The number of people affected by these disorders is staggering in the U.S. Many children go undiagnosed or without treatment for one or more of these conditions, and many individuals may have more than one condition as well. ADHD and Autism, for example, are closely related and may appear together. Although there are many conditions that can be considered as “neurodiverse”, the ones highlighted here are ADHD, autism, Dyslexia and Tourette’s Syndrome.
ADHD:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often diagnosed in children, but without treatment may continue well into adulthood. An estimated 4.4% of adults in the U.S. population is thought to have ADHD, and indications are that this number has been steadily increasing. The three most common symptoms of ADHD are:
- Inattention, such as difficulty paying attention, staying on task or staying organized.
- Hyperactivity, such as talking too much or moving around at inappropriate times.
- Impulsivity, such as interrupting, or having troubles waiting on one’s turn.
And while it is common to have some of these symptoms some of the time, for the individual with ADHD these behaviors tend to be much more prevalent and persistent in the individual affected by this disorder. While most individuals are diagnosed in childhood, some (but not all) outgrow the condition in adulthood.
Autism
Another condition whose rate is rapidly increasing is autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In 2012, the rate of autism was 1 in 69; ten years later in 2022 it was 1 in 31, or almost twice the amount and in 2002 it was only 1 in 150—still a very high number, but not what it is now. This does not show any sign of stopping, either. Some of the most common symptoms of autism include:
- Challenges with social skills.
- Repetitive behavior.
- Difficulties with speech and nonverbal communication.
These symptoms are generalized and no two people are affected in exactly the same way. The condition can be very mild or extremely debilitating, but often functioning in modern society can be a major obstacle. This is a lifelong disorder.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is defined as a learning disorder, where the individual has difficulties learning to read, write and spell, which are critical skills in today’s society. It is difficult to gauge how prevalent the condition is but it is estimated to be between 3% and 7% of the general population. Severity, like autism, can vary widely between individuals. While individuals with dyslexia often struggle academically, this is not a reflection of cognitive impairment. Many famous people with dyslexia include Henry Winkler (Happy Days); Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Walking Dead), Whoopi Goldberg and others.
Tourette Syndrome
Of the four conditions listed here, Tourette Syndrome is the most visibly apparent. The condition consists of a number of sudden rapid and unwanted repetitive movements, called “tics”. Simple tics can include eye blinking, shrugging of the shoulders, sniffing, barking, grunting, but other complex tics can include jumping, bending, or twisting, to name a few. Vocal tics can include repeating what someone else is saying (called “echolalia”, which can occur also with autism), repeating one’s own words or phrases, or swearing. It is usually diagnosed in childhood and may or may not get better in adulthood. Males are much more frequently affected than females for this condition, which affects roughly 1 in 162 children. Although relatively uncommon, it is also one of the most debilitating conditions because it is far more visibly evident.
The Needs of People with Neurodiverse Conditions
Neurodiversity is present everywhere. Chances are good that you may have encountered someone with a neurodiverse condition today, or maybe even every day. Maybe you are one of those people who have a different perspective on life than the rest of us. The important thing to know is that it isn’t bad or wrong or anything else. It simply is. And most people dealing with a neurodiverse condition know what it’s like to have to adapt and work around it. Most will have to address their neurodiversity their entire life.
What most people with neurodiverse conditions need is understanding. Yes, these conditions makes life challenging, and sometimes people can be unkind to those who are “different”. This can come from ignorance, or fear or simply not understanding the condition and what it means to live with it. Yes, there can be a difference in how the neurodiverse brain works, but that doesn’t mean that anything is “wrong”. It simply means there is a difference. Understanding is what is really important—understanding that people with neurodiverse conditions have the same needs as anyone else, and are just trying to get by in life like anyone else. Education about what neurodiversity is, is key to combating ignorance and correcting misunderstandings, and the library is the place where this can happen. Check out our accessibility resources at www.sjpl.org/accessibility
Add a comment to: Neurodiversity Awareness Week