What is neurodivergence?

The neurodivergent community broadly encompasses anyone whose brain functions differently. This can include different ways of processing and storing stimuli and information, and different ways that the brain develops over time, compared to neurotypical people, or those whose brains function in a typical way.

An evolving term

Commonly, we think of ADHD and autism as neurodivergence, but various sources and individuals include other conditions under this umbrella, which seems to suggest that the definition is evolving and fluid. We are, as a society, still gaining information about what it means to be neurodivergent. 

Part of the difficulty defining neurodivergence is that it is hard to determine what “typical” brain functioning is. Statistically, “typical” is anything falling in the middle of a bell curve and everything outside of the middle can be considered “atypical”. However, it can be difficult just to determine which brain functions should be considered neurodivergent that fall outside the middle of the bell curve.

If we step back to view neurodivergence as brain functioning and developmental differences, both clients and therapists can create their own definitions of neurodivergence in ways that are most helpful for them.

One way for therapists to think about neurodivergence

The differences in a client's brain functions compared to what we assume is the way that other individuals' brains function. These differences may be disruptive for the client.

Check out this amazing resource to learn more about neurodivergence, including the origins of the term, use of the term and a lot more. https://stimpunks.org/glossary/neurodivergent/