Reports vary that from 15 to 40% of the population is neurodivergent. This group is a minority, so neurodivergent indicates that this is a group of people whose brains function differently from those who are neurotypical - meaning those who think in ways that society expects or is "usual".  In other words, someone who is neurodiverse thinks or approaches the world differently than the majority of people. This usually leads to some diagnosis, which is meant to describe ways in which these people struggle to get along in every day life. Often, the focus on these struggles leads to lack of appreciation of the benefits of neurodivergence. These days, saavy employers are recognizing that while an employee with ADHD may not be great at meeting deadlines, it can be so helpful to have someone who thinks creatively and can see the big picture to help develop a mission and function as a visionary while coming up with out-of-the box solutions. Tech companies have long seen the value of hiring people with Autism diagnoses, as they may not have perfect people skills, but they have a fantastic memory for detail and will find that one line of code with the error causing the program to fail.

If you are neurodiverse, you may find it difficult to understand the subtleties of communication. You may get caught up in details and not understand the point someone is making, or conversely, you may feel that your general idea is close enough and details don't matter. You may feel overwhelmed by sound or other sensations, or you may need extra stimulation to help you feel calm and focused. You may find it impossible to keep track of things or stay on top of housework. You may feel overwhelmed by confusing emotions and lash out in explosive outbursts. This can be problematic in relationships, in navigating your educational journey, or in your career. These struggles can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues when you feel like you just don't get it, and you will never fit in.

It's important to find someone to talk to who will accept you as you are, and who can help translate some of the subtle, unspoken rules of social interaction, while encouraging you to capitalize on your strengths so that you can see that you actually have so much to offer. You can learn strategies to cope with sensory overload, improve your organizational and/or study skills, reduce your emotional reactivity, and find your comfort zones.