The answer is ... Maybe....
It really depends on how an individual chooses to frame their conditition.
Many people struggle with the phrase "neurodiveristy is a superpower"...this is fair, and needs to be respected.
For myself, reframing some of my challenges as strengths, or looking at my way of doing things as acceptable really helps my internal dialogue...
Whether you agree that these are superpowers or not...there are some things that neurodiverse individuals excel at.
As pointed out in the British Study by Nancy Doyle
"Most humans are average in all functional skills and intellectual assessment, some excel at all, some struggle in all and some have a spiky profile, excelling/average/struggling.
The spiky profile may well emerge as the definitive expression of neurominority, within which there are symptom clusters that we currently call autism, ADHD, dyslexia and DCD..."
Autism Superpowers
ADHD Superpowers
Divergent thinking, creativity, generativity.
Flexibility of thought, movement, emotion.
Intuition and connection to emotion. ...
Perception/observation/curiosity. ...
Need for movement and exploration. ...
Low tolerance for tedium. ...
Preference for active, hands-on tasks. ...
Social influence and charisma.
Perseverence
Creativity – the majority of people with dyslexia are very artistic and have above average imaginative skills. Spatial awareness – many people with dyslexia have the ability to manipulate 3D shapes in their minds.
Seeing the bigger picture – people with dyslexia often see a situation holistically enabling them to focus on the important elements without getting lost in the detail.
Problem solving – people with dyslexia are fast problem solvers through their ability of thinking laterally and outside of the box; providing unique methods for problem-solving and offering lots of insight.
· Recognising complex patterns in images – the dyslexic brain is generally larger than the typical brain making it highly skilled in recognising complex patterns in images and remembering pictures. The dyslexic memory is brilliant at mechanical and technical construction and design.
Dyslexic Superpowers
Tourettes Superpowers
Enhanced Cognitive Control - Researchers studied the mechanism that helps children suppress tics, and noted that this constant, chronic struggle leads to enhance the ability of the brain to allow information processing and to adapt behavior based on goals (at least for some tasks).
Verbal Strengths - Small study showing that children with TS may have a strength in assembling together sounds and processing grammar in a general form.
Some other positive traits include:
Perceptually acute
Tendency for creativity
Energetic
Successful and quick to complete tasks they enjoy
Good sense of humor
Often empathetic