What is Neurodivergence?
To be neurodivergent means that someone’s thinking, learning, or emotional process is different than what is considered typically “normal”. Being neurodivergent is in no way a bad thing, it just means that people in this category have to find ways to help them flourish that might diverge from traditional paths. Many of us may have friends that are neurodivergent or are neurodivergent ourselves. Both of my brothers are neurodiverse: one has ADHD and the other has ADD. While it can impact day-to-day living, often, a person can live the same kind of life as neurotypical people.
There are many different forms of neurodiversity, ranging from autism to dyslexia. Today, I’ll give a description of the most common forms of neurodivergence. The ones that are discussed are merely a sample of the many different subareas in the neurodiverse population.
Autism
Autistic spectral disorder ranges on a spectrum from mild to severe, and impacts approximately 1 out of 54 children in the United States, according to the CDC. Symptoms include communication issues, trouble understanding feelings, eye contact avoidance, erratic tics, and a preference to be alone. Most autism symptoms are noticed at a young age, however, when the case is mild, it may not even be noticeable.
Dyslexia
For a long time in history, children with dyslexia were considered to be dumb or just lazy. However, as medical knowledge developed, we’ve learned that dyslexia just means that some people have a difficulty understanding letters or other written symbols. As we’ve seen in the Percy Jackson series’ Annabeth, a dyslexia diagnosis does not affect general intelligence. There are many ways for children with dyslexia to succeed in school, such as using verbal instead of written answers during tests, learning with audio instead of words, and much more.
ADHD
A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, means that a person has trouble with sitting still, impulsiveness, and attention span. My brother has ADHD, and it is very manageable although it can sometimes affect his relationship with teachers. There are psychologist-recommended methods to help with attention span and focus as well as medication options for more difficult cases.
Girls often have a different set of symptoms than girls when it comes to ADHD. For a girl, these might be extreme talkativeness, the tendency to daydream, disorganization, and overly emotional. It’s important to note that boys and girls have a very different set of symptoms when it comes to the diagnosis of this neurodivergent type.
OCD
Despite what you may think, being a “perfectionist” or very neat does not mean that you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. Contrary to popular belief, having OCD does not always mean that a person is obsessed with cleaning or staying organized. The key to an OCD diagnosis is in the name: a person is compelled to perform a certain task or do a specific activity obsessively. OCD can severely interfere with day-to-day life, and although there is no cure, there are several treatment options.
Some symptoms for OCD include anxiety, guilt, compulsive behavior, agitation, and ritualistic behavior. There are five main types of OCD: checking, contamination, symmetry, intrusive thoughts, and hoarding. These types can often overlap, and every case of obsessive-compulsive disorder is unique.
Tourette’s
Just like most neurodivergent disorders, Tourette’s can be treated but not cured. People with Tourette’s syndrome experience uncontrolled, repetitive tic movements and/or sound. Tourette’s normally develop during adolescence, and symptoms can sometimes disappear in late teens. The disorder can hinder daily activities.
Although neurodiverse people have to find different way to accommodate in life than neurotypical people, it is often still very possible to live similar lives. Many people live with these disorders and succeed greatly; the medical progress that professionals have made allow all types of people to flourish despite possible differences.
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