Neurodiversity: Understanding the Natural Spectrum of Human Brains
A Note on My Role:
I'm an educator, coach, mentor, and neurodiversity advocate speaking from both lived and professional experience. While I bring formal education and extensive knowledge to this work, I am not a licensed mental health professional or diagnostician. My role isn't to diagnose or treat mental health conditions – it's to educate, advocate, and help create more neurodiversity-informed spaces through coaching and mentorship.
Let's Clear Something Up
Before we dive in, let's bust some myths wide open: neurodiversity and neurodivergence aren't diagnoses. They never have been. Neurodiversity is simply a fact of human existence – like biodiversity in nature. It describes the reality that all human brains naturally vary in how they function, process, and interact with the world. Neurodivergence? That's just a way to describe experiences that differ from typical patterns. Neither term is medical, neither requires a diagnosis, and both help us understand the beautiful complexity of human cognition.
Your Brain: As Unique as Your Fingerprint
Here's something wild to consider: your brain is as unique as your fingerprint, and that's not a disorder – it's just being human. Some of us might have formal diagnoses that help explain our experiences. Others might just know they need quiet to think clearly or can't stand scratchy fabric. Both experiences are valid parts of human neurodiversity.
Think of it this way: saying someone is neurodivergent isn't a diagnosis any more than saying they're introverted. It's just describing an experience. And neurodiversity? That's just acknowledging that all our brains work differently – diagnosed or not, typical or not.
Breaking Free from Old Ways of Thinking
Somewhere along the way, we started acting like only people with diagnoses get to have sensory needs or processing preferences. As if being neurotypical means you should be totally fine with fluorescent lights buzzing overhead while Karen from accounting clips her nails three cubicles away. (Spoiler alert: you're allowed to need quiet even without a formal diagnosis!)
Every single person has their own unique way of:
Processing information (Maybe spreadsheets make your brain sing while they make your colleague want to cry)
Managing sensory input (Those scratchy labels are nobody's friend)
Navigating social situations (Some people love small talk. Some would rather eat glass. Neither needs a diagnosis to validate their preference!)
Empowerment Through Understanding
Here's what gets me excited: when people realize that understanding their brain's needs isn't about collecting labels or securing diagnoses, something magical happens. They stop trying to force themselves into boxes that don't fit and start creating environments that actually work for their unique neurotype.
While formal diagnoses can be helpful tools for some people, understanding and advocating for your needs doesn't require one. Everyone deserves to:
Understand how their unique brain works
Know what environments help them thrive
Feel confident asking for what they need
Create systems that support their natural ways of functioning
Creating Real Change
We don't need more people pathologizing brain differences. We need more spaces where everyone feels empowered to say "Hey, this is what I need to do my best work" without needing to justify it with a diagnosis. We need workplaces where discussing sensory needs is as normal as requesting an ergonomic chair.
This is about creating a world where:
Different ways of thinking are celebrated, not just tolerated
Everyone feels comfortable discussing their needs
Support and accommodation are seen as basic human rights, not special privileges
People are empowered to understand and advocate for themselves
The Path Forward
Whether you're exploring your own brain's unique wiring or working to create more inclusive spaces, remember: this journey isn't about collecting diagnoses or fitting into boxes. It's about understanding yourself, advocating for your needs, and helping create a world that works better for everyone.
Ready to explore how your brain works best and create systems that actually support you? Let's talk about building the awareness, confidence, and strategies you need to thrive – exactly as you are.
Because in the end, this isn't about being normal or different, diagnosed or undiagnosed. It's about being human, in all our wonderfully diverse ways.
Reference and Resource List
1. Wise, S. (2023). The Neurodiversity Smorgasbord: Moving Beyond Labels to Understanding Human Diversity. Retrieved from https://www.livedexperienceeducator.com/blog/theneurodiversitysmorgasbord
2. Kapp, S. K. (2020). Autism and Neurodiversity: Changing Perspectives and Practices. Autism Policy & Practice, 3(1), 5-18. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25037.08163
3. Chapman, R., & Carel, H. (2022). Neurodiversity, epistemic injustice, and the good human life. Journal of Social Philosophy, 53(2), 1-18. DOI: 10.1111/josp.12390
4. Milton, D. E. M., & Sims, T. (2021). The Neurodiversity Reader: Exploring Concepts, Research, and Practice. Pavilion Publishing and Media. Retrieved from https://www.pavpub.com
5. Botha, M., & Frost, D. M. (2020). Extending the Minority Stress Model to Understand Mental Health Problems Experienced by the Autistic Population. Society and Mental Health, 10(1), 20-34. DOI: 10.1177/2156869318804297
6. Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities. Autonomous Press. Retrieved from https://autpress.com
7. Bottema-Beutel, K., Crowley, S., Sandbank, M., & Woynaroski, T. (2021). Research Review: Conflicts of interest in autism early intervention research–A systematic review. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 62(1), 5-20. DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13249
8. den Houting, J. (2022). Neurodiversity as a Workplace Strength: An Autistic Perspective. Autism in Adulthood, 4(1), 36-41. DOI: 10.1089/aut.2021.0006
9. Baron-Cohen, S. (2022). The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention. Basic Books. Retrieved from https://www.basicbooks.com
10. Kieran, L., & Booth, T. (2022). Inclusion and Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Creating Systems That Work for All. Journal of Business Ethics, 179(3), 645–662. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04931-2
Photo Credit(s):
A.I. was used to generate photos without credit or copyright on the image.
Dr Nancy Doyle, ‘The Overlapping Strengths of Neurodiversity’: The World Needs Neurodiversity: Unusual Times Call For Unusual Thinking
Wise, S. (n.d.). Resources for Neurodiversity and Inclusion. Lived Experience Educator. Retrieved from https://www.livedexperienceeducator.com/resources
This list provides up-to-date, credible resources that can deepen your understanding of neurodiversity and neurodivergence and support the ideas presented in the blog.
