Divergent Mind & Neurodiversity Week

Some school locations are acknowledging Neurodiversity Celebration Week from March 15-21, so what better time to learn more about neurodiversity?

I recently read the book Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg. As the Susan Cain quote below references, it was helpful for someone like me who often takes more of a "meet people where they are at" approach to life than "cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all." It was so interesting to learn about how far we have come from a research and treatment perspective in some areas, while also understanding more work is still needed. Rather than continuing to pathologize neurodivergent individuals, this book helped to learn about the many positives. It was also an encouraging read, with personal perspectives shared throughout the book. The book focused on common areas of neurodivergence: high sensitivity, ADHD, ASD, synesthesia, and SPD. Having gained more understanding and awareness through reading this encourages me to want to continue to learn and support, while also ensuring people feel comfortable being their authentic selves.

So what is neurodiversity? Coined in 1998 (yes, that recently) by sociologist Judy Singer, "this term refers to variation in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions." You can read a bit more in this past Psychology Today article or this past Forbes article. As one educator, Sue Larkey, shares, "We are all different, and neurodiversity celebrates difference."

How can we help? Let's continue to open our minds and accept that neurological difference is natural, rather than trying to eliminate or minimize. Let's also try to recognize, embrace, and celebrate some of the real benefits in these differences. While neurodivergent individuals think differently, they also have important skills and different ways of seeing the world, all of which can be a real bonus! Having this awareness and being inclusive and supportive can go such a long way allowing others to really show up as their authentic selves and shine.