Neurodiversity is the variation of human minds.

Scholars in evolutionary science show that gene divergences add beauty and variation to our world. Just as we can be racially diverse, our genes can also contribute to our gender diversity, neurological diversity and personality traits.

So, when we talk about neurodiversity, we refer to the "limitless variability of human cognition and the uniqueness of each human mind"[i].

"Neurodiversity is not a trait that any individual possesses or can possess. When an individual or group of individuals diverges from the dominant societal standards of “normal” neurocognitive functioning, they don’t “have neurodiversity,” they’re neurodivergent" [ii]. Another term is "Neuro-Minorities".

Neuro-Minority Challenges

Disabilities like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourettes are grouped under the umbrella term, 'Neurodivergent'. They occur in about 10% of the population. While this percentage many seem as 'commonplace' as asthma or heart disease, such people are a minority due to a lack of societal understanding of their lived experiences.

Each disabled person has things they can and cannot do - just like every other human being. A disabled person struggles ‘more’ in life as they, on a daily basis, are faced with a need to meet 'normal' expected goals of society.

At work, at school, in the community and even (often) in their intimate relationships, disabled people are pushed to follow unspoken rules and ideas of what is socially appropriate, right, and acceptable. But, when your brain is wired differently, it can be challenging to navigate a world which was not designed with you in mind.

The Neurodiversity Paradigm

Popularized in the late 1990s by Judy Singer, the term 'neurodiversity' was introduced as a social ‘movement’ seeking to overcome the stigmas of autism as a disability and the desire to "cure". Over time, the term, 'neurodiversity' has been applied to people who identify with disabilities like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette's and mental health issues. While this application of the term is argued within many autism groups, we recognize the paradigm and confidently assert that we embrace it. We believe disabled peoples ought to be recognized as equal and valid in their experience of the world, that stigma and discrimination needs to stop, and that research on cures is halted. Different is beautiful.

Be Your Best Academy advocates acceptance of differences and a nothing for us without us approach, which means that we create our programs and services with full participation of disabled people. In fact, we are a unique organization as we have 100% disability neurodivergence - every person who works here has a condition. We value and uphold the neurodiversity paradigm and hope to make it 'normal' to be inclusive in this manner.

References

[i] Singer, J. (June, 2019). What is Neurodiversity? Retrieved from: https://neurodiversity2.blogspot.com/p/what.html

[ii] Walker, N. (September, 2014). Neurodiversity, some basic terms. Retrieved from: https://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/