Neurodiversity refers to the differences in the way each person’s brain processes information. The term was coined in 1997 by Australian sociologist, Judy Singer, in a bid to promote inclusion for people with neurological differences. Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for developmental conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and dyslexia, and it describes individuals who have a brain that works differently to the average – or “neurotypical” – person.
It is important to note that the term “neurodiversity” seeks to acknowledge the inherit and natural differences in our brains, rather than create a “normal” vs “abnormal” comparison. Up to 15% of the population is thought to be neurodiverse.
People with neurodivergent brains process information differently to neurotypical people and can be prone to sensory overload. This is when the brain becomes overwhelmed with external stimuli, such as sounds, smells, sights, touch and tastes, and it can make it more difficult to regulate behaviours and emotions, causing affects such as anxiety, irritability and shutdowns.
It is also important to note that neurodiversity does not correlate with intelligence, and that, as people with neurodivergent brains often see the world differently, they can offer valuable and diverse perspectives and strengths.
