Neurodiversity … What is this exactly?
Hello everyone! I’m a psychologist specialising in working with neurodivergent kids and adults. Did you know the term "neurodiversity" was created by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, back in the 1990s? It’s a concept that views conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia not as deficits, but as variations in brain wiring, each adding to the diverse ways we experience the world.
Honestly, I used to see autism and ADHD as something far removed from my own life, the kind of thing you only see in films or on TV. But when I first came across the term "neurodiversity," it blew my mind. I was incredibly curious and couldn’t stop soaking up all the information I could find about it.
I’ve always been somewhat critical of how the mental health professionals tend to label people with disorders or deficiencies. But I absolutely fell for the idea that just like the natural world thrives on biodiversity, human society thrives on neurodiversity—our different brain make-ups.
This notion is beautifully articulated in the book "Is This Autism: A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone Else." It challenges the idea of a 'normal' brain, promoting the view that brain variations are not a matter of better or worse; they're just differences that can be evolutionarily advantageous. Autism, for instance, is an inherent part of who someone is.
On a personal note, I struggled quite a bit in school. I couldn’t keep up in class and found school lunch breaks overwhelming with all the noise and activity, often retreating to a quiet spot by myself. This isolation affected my ability to make friends and shook my self-confidence. If only my school had recognised my needs as a neurodivergent child and provided a quiet, sensory-friendly space, with other neurodivergent kids I might have felt more included and connected with my classmates.
The neurodiversity paradigm embraces these differences and highlights the strengths they bring. In therapy, our aim is to increase awareness and understanding, helping people to live lives that are true to themselves, without having to hide or mask their genuine identities. I’m also excited to explore how receiving a diagnosis has positively impacted both my life and my family's.
I’m looking forward to sharing more about the importance of recognising and supporting neurodiversity. Watch this space.
Written by Camila Kuss, Neurodivergent Psychologist
References:
Is this Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and everyone else
Is this Autism? A Companion Guide for Diagnosing