What does neurodiversity mean?
Thomas Armstrong –
“Neurodiversity refers to diversity in the human brain and cognition, such as sociability, learning, attention, mood, and other mental functions.”
Harvard Health –
“Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not considered deficits.”
Merriam-Webster –
“Neurodiversity is a concept that individual differences in brain function are regarded as normal variations within the human population.”
The concept of neurodiversity points out variations of the human brain. It recognizes the reality of the existence of diverse human brains and minds. Neurodiversity, therefore, embraces humanity’s diversity.
Where does the term come from?
Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term Neurodiversity. She first used the term Neurodiversity in her sociology honors thesis. However, her work on autism and neurodiversity became known due to a book chapter she wrote in 1999 titled “Why Can’t You Be Normal for Once in Your life?” In it, she wrote:
For me, the key significance of the “Autism Spectrum” lies in its call for and anticipation of a “politics of Neurological Diversity,” or what I want to call “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.[i]
Singer holds the view that human cognition variation is a subset of biodiversity and places “neurodiversity” in the arena of politics as a political category of a minority group.
Within the framework of neurodiversity, people are referred to as either neurotypical or neurodivergent.
Neurotypical – The word describes people with typical neurological development or functioning. The neurotypical learn functional skills and reach developmental milestones around the same time as most of their peers. Their brain works and processes information in ways that are typical in their cultural or social environments.
Neurodivergent – The term describes individuals with atypical neurological development or functioning. Their brain develops, functions, and processes information differently from the perceived norms within their culture or social settings.
Why does the term exist?
Neurodiversity arose from the autism rights movement, a social movement advocating that autism is not a disease but an alternative way of being. The term neurodiversity simply refers to the reality that diverse minds and brains exist. Neurodiversity exists even among neurotypical people. No two human minds or brains are precisely the same.
Advocates of neurodiversity aim to bring awareness to the factual reality of the existence of diverse minds. They maintain there is no one “right” way of thinking, behaving, or relating. The difference does not necessarily indicate a disease that needs to be fixed. Diversity is not something to be avoided but embraced. It is not something to be afraid of but to celebrate.
They want to promote understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent people. Instead of trying to fit neurodivergent people into a mold, they wish for provision, accommodation, and assistance. Rather than pitying neurodivergent people, they wish for appreciation and help in developing their strengths.
The term neurodiversity, thus, conveys a sense of affirmation, celebrating the richness of different minds.
What is the controversy?
Do a quick search online about neurodiversity, and you will find some heated arguments from the proponents and opponents of this concept.
The controversy concerns the relationship between neurodiversity and the social model of disability. I took a deeper look at the medical and social model of disability in my previous post, Understanding Disabilities. Here, I will briefly compare the core claims of both models and neurodiversity.
Medical Model – Disability is a deficiency, disorder, or abnormality residing in an individual. Disability is viewed as individual defects. Therefore, the remedies focus on fixing, curing, and normalizing the individual through medical or other interventions.
Neurodiversity Framework – Disability results from the interplay between an individual’s functional impairments and the social environment an individual is in. Disability should be addressed with a two-pronged approach: both the individual and the social environment. By providing medical interventions, skill training, and other necessary professional help, persons with impairments learn skills and strategies to lead a confident, productive life. On the other hand, it is necessary to reshape society by changing its prevalent and unfavorable attitudes against the disabled, offering accommodation, improving accessibility, and promoting fair opportunities.
Social Model – Disability is viewed as a difference. A person’s physical or mental impairments are not disabling but the restrictions and limitations imposed on the person by society. Thus, the solution to remove the disabling factors is to reform society by removing barriers and discrimination, increasing accessibility, and offering accommodations.
The controversy comes from the misunderstanding that the neurodiversity approach is the same as the social model of disability that opposes treatments and places every blame squarely on society. Proponents of the social model unintentionally make many people with disabilities and their families feel judged, criticized, and even condemned for seeking medical support or cures. As a result, some of these families feel attacked and ostracized from the neurodivergent community. Some families even form organizations that vehemently oppose the neurodivergent approach.
In fact, the solution is not either or, but both and. On the one hand, society needs to change. By advocating for the neurodivergent community, raising awareness, and increasing understanding, we help people appreciate the different strengths and challenge the neurodivergent experience. We can further include them in societal life by removing barriers, increasing accessibility, and providing accommodations.
However, it is not enough to just change society. Ultimately, disability is the product of the interaction between the neurodivergent person and his or her social environment. Therefore, we also need to take steps to help the neurodivergent person. We should try to provide what they need to live a productive life – medical treatment, professional intervention, or adaptive skill training.
Where do we go from here?
You may wonder, “So, why do we need another term that only serves to muddy the water and causes tension?”
The term neurodiversity exists to provide a more balanced view and a healthier way to look at people who think, behave, interact, and socialize differently from most of us. Many in society tend to look down upon those who are different, consider them “abnormal, ” and use derogatory terms to describe them. As a result, it causes many misunderstandings, hurt, and isolation for families affected by disabilities. Instead of penalizing people’s differences, we should try to discover and help them develop their strengths. As for their apparent challenges, we should try to provide affordable professional help and accommodations to help mitigate the adverse effects of those challenges.
God is most glorified when we value each human being as a bearer of His image.
God is most glorified as we spread His love and truth to everyone willing to receive without judging their “abilities” to receive. God is most glorified as we accept one another, receive one another, and love one another as He accepts, receives, and loves us.
[i] Corker, M., & French, S. (Eds.). (1999). Disability Discourse. Open University Press.