Neurodiversity

neu·​ro·​di·​ver·​si·​ty | noun

“Neurodiversity is the diversity of human minds, the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.”

(Walker, 2022)

What does it mean to be neurodivergent?

Neurodivergent is not a diagnosis. Neurodivergent or neurodivergence refers to people who think, process information, and experience the world differently from what is considered ‘typical’. ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities and Autism are all considered to be a form of neurodivergence.

Neurodivergence does not refer to someone’s intelligence. Being neurodivergent means that you think and perceive differently which can make some parts of life more challenging, but it can also come with unique strengths such as strong observation skills, ability to hyper-focus, creativity, empathy and out-of-the-box thinking.

People who are neurodivergent often find that they face uniquely similar challenges that can lead to increased risk of anxiety and depression. Difficulty with executive functioning and working memory can make everyday tasks feel impossible or overwhelming. It’s common for people who are neurodivergent to have trouble with initiating tasks, following verbal instructions, staying in touch with friends or organizing their thoughts.

Feeling misunderstood while not understanding for yourself why things seem so hard can be isolating and start to take a toll on your mental health.

Do you struggle with

Task initiation

Keeping in touch with friends

Getting started with a task or activity

Following verbal instructions

Staying focused on something you aren’t interested in

Organizing your thoughts and writing

Making decisions

It’s important to find a therapist that understands, so you can get support, insight and tools that actually work for you.

  • Feel understood and less alone.

  • Have your experiences and feelings validated.

  • Better understand why struggle the way you do, and learn ways of working around that.

  • Learn strategies for approaching tasks and goals that actually make sense for you.

  • Learn to stop criticizing yourself for things you can’t change.

Therapy can offer you a space to

[The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice or diagnostic evaluations.]

Nick Walker, PHD. (2022) Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/