What is Neurodiversity?
The concept of neurodiversity has fuelled a social justice movement advocating for the rights of those whose lives diverge from a socially-constructed default. However, deficit understandings of disability persist in educational settings and neurodivergent people continue to face disadvantage and discrimination in organizations constructed on normative understandings of the world.
Definition according to Harvard Health Publish
-
Neurodiversity is a notion that every person interacts and experiences their surroundings differently.
-
There is no right way of thinking, learning, or/and behaving.
-
These differences should not be construed as defects or disorders.
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variations in how people's brains work and process information. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes several neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, as part of the concept of neurodiversity.
The key points about neurodiversity and the DSM-5 are:
-
The DSM-5 defines neurodevelopmental disorders as a group of conditions with onset in the developmental period that cause deficits and impairment in functioning.
-
Autism is one of the neurodevelopmental disorders listed in the DSM-5, with criteria including deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communicative behaviors, and developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.
-
Other types of neurodivergence, such as ADHD, are also included in the DSM-5 as neurodevelopmental disorders.
-
Overall, the DSM-5 recognizes neurodiversity as encompassing various neurological differences and disorders that impact brain function and development.
Neurodivergent, sometimes abbreviated as ND, means having a mind that functions in ways which diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.” Neurodivergent is quite a broad term. Neurodivergence (the state of being neurodivergent) can be largely or entirely genetic and innate, or it can be largely or entirely produced by brain-altering experience, or some combination of the two. Autism and dyslexia are examples of innate forms of neurodivergence, while alterations in brain functioning caused by such things as trauma, long-term meditation practice, or heavy usage of psychedelic drugs are examples of forms of neurodivergence produced through experience. A person whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in multiple ways – for instance, a person who is Autistic, dyslexic, and epileptic – can be described as multiply neurodivergent.
Number of cases of Neurodiversity
All over the world
According to Forbes, Based on different studies, between 15-20% of the population is neurodiverse — including up to 10% of people who are diagnosed with dyslexia, 5% diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 1-2% with autism.
In India
Famous people with Neuro Diversity
Environmental Activist
Greta Thunberg
A Swedish environmental activist known for her role in raising global awareness about climate change. She has been open about her Asperger's syndrome, referring to it as her "superpower."
Film Director/ Producer
Steven Spielberg
The acclaimed American film director and producer. Spielberg was diagnosed with dyslexia later in life and has discussed how it affected his early education and career.
Olympic Gymnast
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is an Olympic gymnast who holds 7 Olympic medals, 4 of them being gold. She also holds 25 world championship medals. In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden. She was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and has spoken openly about taking medication to help manage her symptoms
Olympic Swimmer
Michael Phelps
The most decorated Olympian of all time, with 23 gold medals in swimming. Phelps has been candid about his ADHD diagnosis and how swimming helped him channel his energy.
American Business Magnate
Bill Gates
The fourth-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $113 billion.He has both dyslexia and ADHD and he has spoken openly about his struggles with mainstream education.
Indian-American Economist
Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee
The Nobel Prize-winning economist has spoken about his struggles with dyslexia, particularly in his early education.
Indian Actor
Hrithik Roshan
The Indian actor struggled with dyslexia as a child and has discussed how he overcame his difficulties to become one of India’s top actors.
Indian Mathematics Educator
Anand Kumar
The mathematician and founder of the Super 30 program, which helps underprivileged students prepare for the IIT-JEE. Kumar has mentioned his struggles with dyslexia and how he managed to succeed despite it.
Former CEO of Apple
Steve Jobs
The founder of “Apple”,was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and struggled severely in school, dropping out of college, arguing that mainstream education lacked practical application. Throughout his life, he remained an advocate for breaking away from conventional forms of learning and practice; ‘you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards.’
American Director and Producer
Tim Burton
Tim Burton is a filmmaker and screenwriter, known for his eccentric art.He also has autism and many attribute his creative genius directly to his autism.