12 Strengths of being neurodivergent

In this article we will have a look at the 12 strengths that come from thinking differently. But first, let’s clarify what neurodiversity, neurotypical, neurodivergence and neurodivergent is.

What is the difference between neurotypical, neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurodivergence?

Neurodiversity, neurotypical, neurodivergent, and neurodivergence are terms that are gaining more attention in today’s society. But what do they mean? Are they interchangeable? In this blog post, we will be exploring the differences between these three terms and how they relate to each other.

Whether you’re a parent of a child with autism, a therapist in search of high quality, accredited online courses, or someone simply looking to expand your knowledge on the subject, keep reading to learn all about neurodiversity!

What is neurotypical?

Neurotypical is a term used to describe individuals who have typical neurological development. In simpler terms, neurotypicals are those who do not have any particular developmental or learning differences like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder, executive dysfunction, oppositional defiant disorder, and so on.

Neurotypical traits can vary from person to person but generally include good coordination skills, effective communication abilities and ease of social interaction. They may also be more comfortable in routine situations and follow established patterns of behaviour.

However, it’s important to note that being neurotypical does not mean an individual is superior or “normal”. It simply means they have a unique way of experiencing the world around them just like everyone else. The term should never be used as a judgement against someone or as a comparison tool because we all deserve respect regardless of our neurodiversity status.

Understanding what neurotypical means helps us gain awareness about people’s diverse cognitive processes and their ways of thinking which ultimately leads towards building more inclusive communities for everyone!

What is neurodiversity, neurodivergence and neurodivergent?

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe the natural variation of human brains and minds. it includes ll types of brain including typical and majority brains. It recognizes that differences in brain function, behavior and perception are part of our genetic diversity, just like differences in eye color or height. In other words, neurodiversity rejects the idea that there is only one “normal” way for people to think or behave.

The concept of neurodiversity originated from the autism rights movement in the 1990s, which aimed to promote acceptance and inclusion for autistic individuals. Today, it has expanded into a broader social justice movement advocating for equal opportunities for all neurological types.

Understanding neurodiversity can help us challenge stigma surrounding mental health issues while celebrating our individual strengths and differences as humans.

Examples of neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences should be recognized and respected as part of human diversity. These differences include conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and Tourette syndrome. These conditions are not diseases that need to be cured but rather variations of human biology. People who identify as neurodivergent often embrace their unique ways of thinking and being.

One example of neurodiversity is individuals who are on the autism spectrum. They may have difficulty with social interactions or communication but excel in areas like music, art or mathematics.

Another example is people who have ADHD which can give them hyperfocus abilities that allow them to complete tasks more efficiently than others without it. This ability can make them valuable employees in certain fields.

Dyslexia is also a form of neurodiversity that affects reading ability but has been linked to enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills when working on tasks not related to reading.

Tourette’s Syndrome involves involuntary movements or vocalizations which can sometimes lead to stigmatization; however those with the condition often exhibit increased attentional focus when engaging in activities they enjoy.

Neurodivergence can also be aquired through brain injury, illness, accident or other mental health conditions at some point after birth. This includes epilepsy, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, etc.

Recognizing these different forms of neurodiversity leads us towards greater understanding and acceptance for all types of cognitive abilities.

How are neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurodivergence related?

Neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurodivergence are all related concepts that focus on the differences in human brains. Neurodiversity refers to the variation of cognitive functioning among individuals. It recognizes that everyone’s brain is unique and different from one another.

Neurodivergent describes people who have neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia or Tourette’s syndrome. These individuals think differently than those who are considered “neurotypical” – which means having typical or expected neurological development.

Neurodivergence is a term used to describe the state of being neurodiverse or neurologically different. It encompasses all forms of neurological diversity regardless if they’re diagnosed with a condition or not.

Together these terms challenge the idea that there is only one “normal” way for people to think and behave while acknowledging that there are many ways to be intelligent and creative.

These concepts promote acceptance of diverse minds instead of trying to fit them into societal norms. By embracing these ideas we can create more inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued regardless of their cognitive abilities or disabilities.

The 12 strengths of neurodivergent brains

1. The ability to recognise where you flourish

Neurodivergent people often know what their strengths and weaknesses are, which is built from a lifetime of creating workarounds to allow them to reach their full potential.

2. Listen hard, change fast

1 in 7 people has a neurodivergent condition. It’s estimated that in the global adult population that 10% are dyslexic, 5% are dyspraxic, 4% have ADHD, and 1-2% are autistic. While these statistics may signal a challenge, neurodiversity can also shine a light on a lot of strengths from thinking differently.

This means that it is necessary for employers, managers and leaders to pay attention to their neurodivergent employees to find the value that the can offer to the company or organisation.

3. Diversity

Neurodiversity urges us to discuss brain diversity using the same kind of discourse that we would use when talking about biodiversity and cultural diversity. It can lead to the betterment of a company by hiring individuals that think differently and have different perspectives and opinions about problems and challenges at hand. Diversity in any sense should be seen as a strength and something that companies should try to implore more of.

4. Absorbing information

Thinking differently places you in a unique position to address challenges in a way that others would not.

5. Innovation

The ability to think differently and think outside of the box is an extremely marketable skill and one that employers look for.

6. Passion for social justice and fairness

Many neurodivergent people are strongly focused on social justice. What some consider rigid hyperfocus on rules can be better understood as a natural tendency to intensely believe in the import of fairness and justice. This focus on fairness, combined with deep empathy, leads to individuals who will fight passionately to protect the welfare of the disenfranchised and the environment.

7. Challenging old habits

The biggest strength of being neurodivergent is that in itself, the ability to think differently compared to neurotypical people. Often we get so set in our ways and so used to sticking to the status quo, that we often don’t have time to look at new ways of doing things or challenge our own thoughts.

8. Adding purposeful value

The biggest strength is adding a different perspective, adding purposeful value including creativity and lateral thinking. Neurodivergent people also commonly hold highly specialized skills.

9. Questioning how things are currently done

In a business environment that is fast-paced and ever-evolving, it is a strength to have neurodiverse team members thinking differently and challenging the norms. Thinking differently means questioning how things are done, it means seeing solutions to problems where others don’t even see a problem.

10. Stellar imagination

There are many gifts, but one of the greatest that neurodivergent individuals possess (due to their minds being wired differently) is stellar imaginations which leads to incredible creativity! Since creative thinking is one of the most important assets a company can have, within the last decade companies have begun creating programs specifically targeting neurodivergent thinkers, like SAP’s Autism at Work, and Microsoft’s Autism Hiring Program.

11. Drawing connections

One of the biggest strength that comes from someone’s experience with neurodiversity, is their ability to make connections most neurotypicals miss.

12. Better understanding of your consumer base

An inclusive neurodiverse company is more productive, more innovative, more reflective of its consumer base, more competitive for all talent, and its total employee engagement increases. Different minds can approach a company’s products, services, and business challenges with different solutions.

Conclusion

Understanding the concepts of neurodiversity, neurodivergent, and neurodivergence is crucial in promoting inclusivity and diversity in our society. Instead of viewing neurological differences as a problem to be fixed or cured, we should embrace them as part of human variation.

Neurodiversity celebrates the differences among individuals with varying neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome among others. It emphasizes that these are not deficits but rather unique ways of thinking and experiencing the world.

By recognizing and accepting neurodivergent individuals for who they are without stigma or discrimination we can create an environment that values everyone’s strengths regardless of their neurological status. This will lead to better support systems for those who need it most and overall greater acceptance throughout society.

In summary, embracing neurodiversity means respecting everyone’s unique traits while advocating for equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of their neurological profiles. Let us strive towards creating a more inclusive world where people from all walks of life feel valued and understood.