Everyone and their Mom is neurodivergent now it seems.
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Hello! I am Autistic & ADHD (A.K.A Neurodivergent!) and this is how I would define the word. I’ll try to be brief but detailed, I don’t think this is something I can explain like you’re 5 lol
Neurodivergence refers to anyone who’s brain forms/has formed additional or alternative neural pathways, leading to a variety of conditions, primarily Developmental Disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder ( Or ASD for short), ADHD, etc…
Some disorders which have a permenant neurological effect on your brain, such as, PTSD & Borderline Personality Disorder, can be acquired through repeated Trauma, which means that someone can become Neurodivergent later in life due to one or several Traumatic Events.
So many people are Neurodivergent now because new research is teaching us a lot about Autism & ADHD, PSTD, and Brain Development. Now we can better identify ASD & ADHD in adults and children, and how Developmental Disorders are passed down through families.
Now folks who would have told you they have PSTD & ADHD, for example, can preserve their own privacy and still ask for the accommodations they need, by referring to themselves as Neurodivergent. As an Autistic person, I don’t want to share my disability unless Its on my terms. Some people need to know that I need different treatment or special help, but will speak to me like a baby and act like I am helpless as soon as I say that I’m Autistic. The goal of using Neurodivergent is to respect the distinction between Neurological Conditions and Mental Illness, and provide privacy while self advocating.
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