What is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity is a term that describes the wide range of neurological functioning that exists among humans and the many ways human brains differ from each other; a combination of the words "neurological" and "diversity." Neurodiversity is not bad-- it is simply the brain working a different way. Neurodiverse refers to any group of people, because each of their brains works differently. (Conversation Examples: "We are studying neurodiversity." "This group of people is neurodiverse.")
Where did the term come from? It was coined in 1998 by Australian sociologist Judy Singer. In describing the term, she writes, "For me, the key significance of the Autism Spectrum lies in its call for and anticipation of a politics of neurological diversity, or 'neurodiversity.' The neurologically different represent a new addition to the familiar political categories of class/gender/race and will augment the insights of the social model of disability."
Who is considered neurodivergent? The "neurodivergent umbrella" (see image below) covers a wide variety of individuals whose brain functions differ from the standard or "norm." This includes individuals with Autism, ADHD, learning disorders, mental health conditions, developmental disorders, and movement disorders, among others. (Conversation example: "This person identifies as neurodivergent.")
What is neurotypical? This refers to people who think, perceive, and behave in ways that are considered the norm by the general population. It does not mean "normal," but that the person's behaviors fall within a culture's expected boundaries. (Conversation example: "This behavior is considered neurotypical in America."
Different, Not Less by
Growing up, Chloé Hayden felt like she'd crash-landed on an alien planet where nothing made sense. Eye contact? Small talk? And why are you people so touch-oriented? She moved between 10 schools in 8 years, struggling to become a person she believed society would accept, and was eventually diagnosed with autism and ADHD. When a life-changing group of allies showed her that different did not mean less, she learned to celebrate her true voice and find her happily ever after.
Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You by
Divergent Mind is a long-overdue, much-needed answer for women who have a deep sense that they are "different." Sharing real stories from women with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, misophonia, and more, Nerenberg explores how these brain variances present differently in women and dispels widely held misconceptions. She also offers a path forward, describing practical changes in how we can communicate, design our surroundings, and better support divergent minds.
Neurodiversity : the birth of an idea by
Judy Singer is usually credited with coinage of the word that became the banner for the last great social movement to emerge from the 20th century. The word was just one of several ideas in this work, her 1998 Honors thesis, a pioneering sociological work that mapped out the emergence of a new category of disability that, until then, had no name. And in the process, prefigured a new paradigm within the disability rights movement of the time. The work attempted a wider view of this new terrain from within a post-modern, social constructionist, feminist, disability rights perspective. Its chapters included a brief history of autism, self-exploration of Singer's life in the middle of three generations of women "somewhere on the autistic spectrum" and her research as a participant-observer on InLv, an internet community of people on the spectrum.
The Power of Neurodiversity by
Bestselling author, psychologist, and educator Thomas Armstrong illuminates a new understanding of neuropsychological disorders. He argues that if they are a part of the natural diversity of the human brain, they cannot simply be defined as illnesses. Armstrong explores the evolutionary advantages, special skills, and other positive dimensions of these conditions. A manifesto as well as a keenly intelligent look at "disability," The Power of Neurodiversity is a must for parents, teachers, and anyone who is looking to learn more about neurodivergence.
Typed Words, Loud Voices by
Imagine a world where you had to prove you knew your own mind even to get a cup of coffee, where it was generally assumed that you could have no thoughts of your own, so if you did express your thoughts, it must be some trick. Sadly, this world is not imaginary for many of the writers in this book, who have chosen the path of demanding to be heard. Typed Words, Loud Voices is written by a coalition of writers who type to talk and believe it is neither logical nor fair that some people should be expected to prove themselves every time they have something to say.
This video by Jubilee focuses on six individuals with different disabilities. The host offers a variety of statements about disability, and the individuals express their opinions on a scale of Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree.
This video covers... What is neurodiversity? What neurological conditions does it encompass? (such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, Tourette's syndrome) What is it like to be neurodiverse or neurodivergent? How can neurodiversity be supported in the workplace?
