Neurodiversity is a term coined in the late 1990s by Judy Singer, an Autistic sociologist. Judy argued that diverse neurological conditions and learning disabilities (Autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, hyperlexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Tourette syndrome (TS) – ALL of which are more common in Autistic people) are the result of normal variations in human brain type – Different shades of humanity, I like to say. 

NeuroDiversity includes ALL brains, NeuroDivergent AND NeuroTypical, working together, embracing and supporting one another.

A group of people with DIVERSE brains is a NeuroDiverse group of people (as long as that group is made up of a variety of NeuroTypes (or BRAIN TYPES).

NeuroDivergent people’s differences are cognitive, invisible, and impact the way we interpret the world, process information, and interact with others.

In NeuroDiversity circles, we often talk about the types of neurological/brain diversity people are born with (such as neurodevelopmental differences like some of the ones I mentioned earlier). However, human brains are complicated, and amazingly adaptive, but they can also be quite fragile.

The brains of people (and likely other animals as well) can be altered based on experiences that occur in our lives (such as trauma, abuse, and injuries). People who manage to grow up in circumstances where they are nurtured, experiencing minimal trauma, develop very different brains from those of us who grew up in broken homes, or abusive situations.

Even as adults one’s brain can be forever (or temporarily altered), causing one’s perception of their emotions, the world around them, or communication abilities to change (PTSD, TBI, Anxiety and Depression all are acquired conditions that can majorly alter the way a person experiences life – long or short-term).

I’m creating a new community outside of social media on Substack (where I can have more control over my space), and I hope you’ll join me as a free member (but I also have paid subscriptions if you want access to bonus content).

If you are on a budget, I also offer a discounted, pay what you can, subscription to most of the same content on Patreon, starting at only $1a month and less than $12 a year if you subscribe annually.