What is Neurodiversity?

For a full image description of this infographic please click on the image.

For a full image description of this infographic please click on the image.

Neurodiversity is the variation in human brains.

  • neuro: relating to brains or neurology
  • diversity: the state of being diverse
  • diverse: showing a great deal of variety; very different

In our society, we tend to categorise diversity. We have labels for diversity of height, skin colour, gender, and many other things.

Some of the labels we use to categorize neurodiversity include ADHD, Bipolar, Depression, Autism, Epilepsy, Anxiety, Dyslexia, Aphasia,…. the list goes on. These categories are neurodivergences, and people who have these neurodivergences are neurodivergent. A person can be multiply neurodivergent.
The medical model our society employs to treat and manage neurodivergence calls these things disorders. The neurodiversity paradigm rejects the idea that being neurodivergent is inherently wrong or indictative of disorder. Neurodivergences can certainly be disabilities, but are not bad or symptoms of brokenness.
For more information about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, and for an explanation of some of the terms and definitions used within the Neurodiversity Movement, please visit Nick Walker’s blog Neurocosmopolitanism.