Introduction

Neurodivergent describes individuals with brain differences that impact how their brain functions. This can lead to these individuals facing alternative challenges medically, educationally or socially.¹ However, being neurodivergent can also come with strengths, such as enhanced memory, improved innovation and creativity, the ability to solve complex mathematical calculations mentally and many more. The opposite of neurodivergent is neurotypical, and this is anyone whose brain functions to a societally accepted standard.¹ An estimated 15-20% of the world’s population has some form of neurodivergence and is driven by environmental and genetic factors.

Types of neurodivergence

Being neurodivergent can appear in a variety of conditions, or disorders, with different definitions, different diagnostic criteria, and different challenges.¹ A handful of these will be explored below.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

ASD affects the way someone interacts, behaves and learns, as well as potentially impacting their social interactions. These are some ways that ASD can appear in someone’s life:

• Difficulty understanding nonverbal communication such as facial expressions or eye contact
• Late or absent language development
• Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
• Fear of change
• Repetitive body motions such as rocking back and forth

ASD can vary in severity, and these symptoms are not always recognised or characterised, so here is a risk factor to be aware of: it affects people assigned male at birth four times as much as those who are assigned female at birth. Symptoms are more recognisable in children as their everyday impairment is higher than in adults. ASD is a disorder of early brain development between children of ages 1.5 years to 3 years old. Some signs of ASD in younger children are an inability to look at the parent when the child’s name is called, your child does not say any words by 16 months old, your child lining up toys or repetitively playing with them, your child does not react kindly to a change in their routine or your child has sensory aversions, such as a negative reaction to loud noises.²

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a very common neurodevelopmental disorder, where an individual experiences an inability to regulate their mood, control overactivity and manage their behaviour. There are variations in neurotransmitters and nerve networks of those with ADHD. These Individuals are most commonly diagnosed during childhood, and this condition typically lasts as they grow up.³ ADHD can appear in four ways:

• Inattentive presentation – difficulty concentrating, maintaining focus, organising, losing things often, forgetful, but has little hyperactivity
• Hyperactive-impulsive presentation – individuals will fidget, struggle to sit still, have difficulty with quiet activities, act without thinking and interrupt
• Combined presentation – symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity appear
• Unspecified presentation – individuals demonstrate dysfunction from very severe symptoms and do not fit into any of the above categories

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects the way an individual can read or write. This is due to disruptions in the way their brain processes writing. Dyslexia is a lifelong issue that is usually recognised in childhood. When trying to process what is being read, the brain struggles to break down words into sounds when reading.⁴ Dyslexia and slow processing in the brain can lead to:

• Slowed reading due to difficulty in processing words
• Difficulty writing and spelling
• Difficulty forming sentences to articulate complex ideas

When diagnosing dyslexia, it is important to look at risk factors related. Genetics can play a huge role, as a child with a dyslexic parent has a 30-50% chance of inheriting it. Anything that can disturb fetal development, such as toxic exposures and infections, may increase the chances of developing dyslexia. Additionally, having a lack of access to reading and educational material growing up can lead to a higher risk.^4,5 When looking for dyslexia, it is important to check the presence of these characteristics:

• Difficulty learning the names of letters
• Problems telling similarly shaped letters apart, such as “b”, “d”, “p” or “q”
• Confusing the positions of sounds in a word
• Trouble rhyming

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is also known as developmental coordination disorder and affects coordination and movement. It does not affect intelligence but affects skills that require balance, playing sports or driving. It may affect fine motor skills, such as writing or using small objects like fastening buttons. Dyspraxia begins in childhood but persists into adulthood, and more commonly affects those assigned male at birth. Someone is more prone to dyspraxia if they were born prematurely, had a low birth weight of less than four pounds, or if there is a family history of dyspraxia.⁶ When diagnosing this disorder, you should look out for:

• Toddlers having difficulty playing with toys that involve coordination like stacking cups
• Struggling to learn how to eat with forks and spoons
• Trouble walking up and down stairs
• Difficulty balancing – frequently fall or bump into things
• Difficulty playing sports or riding a bike
• Struggle with writing, colouring or drawing
• Trouble getting dressed or doing daily tasks such as brushing their teeth or hair

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome causes sudden and uncontrollable movements or vocal sounds called tics. It affects the brain and nerves, typically appears in childhood, and improves during adulthood. Motor tics are often the first appearance, followed by vocal tics. People assigned male at birth are three to four times more likely to develop this condition, as well as it being passed down genetically. Prenatal health can also contribute, as mothers who smoke during pregnancy leave their children at a higher risk. Tics are the main symptom and arise from ages 5-7 years old. They can be complex tics, involving many movements or muscle groups, or simple tics, which are quick or repeated motions. Jumping and shoulder shrugging are examples of each respectively.⁷ 

Motor tics may include:

• Arm jerking
• Eye blinking
• Jaw movements
• Distorted facial expressions
• Head jerking

while vocal tics may include:

• Barking
• Shouting
• Sniffing
• Grunting
• Throat clearing

Other neurodivergent disorders

Neurodivergent disorders can appear as any of the above conditions or as various others, including Down syndrome, sensory processing disorders, mental health conditions, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Each disorder has a different set of diagnostic criteria with different challenges. With neurodivergence being a difference in the way an individual’s brain functions, having one disorder can lead to or be coupled with others.

Importance of neurodivergence in healthcare

Neurodivergence should be viewed as individuals having differences, but certainly not deficits. These differences may lead to challenges to existing in a mostly neurotypical society, however, they come with many strengths. Physician Jennifer Vassel states that despite hypersensitivity making working in a hospital overwhelming, it can also help to build trust and connect with patients. Individuals with ADHD particularly, also thrive in high-stress situations making their contribution to hospitals valuable.⁸

Challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals

Being neurodivergent can be a challenge in many aspects of their life, because people with neurodivergence may struggle in situations or processes that fundamentally do not provide a chance to excel. People who struggle in social situations may find interviews harder to do well in, and may, therefore, struggle to find a job. Or, maybe they struggle in loud environments meaning a busy workplace may pose a barrier. However, in both of these situations, accommodations can be made to overcome these challenges – hiring processes may have skills tests for potential hires or noise-cancelling headphones can be worn to provide quietness for productivity.¹

How can I support someone who is neurodivergent?

People who are neurodivergent may feel left out or misunderstood. As a family member or friend to someone who is neurodivergent, you should listen to them, ensure they know you are there, respect them, and you should communicate in a way that they understand. This could be through written messages, phone calls or face-to-face communication.¹

Treating neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is unique to each person, and the way that their brain develops, meaning it is not preventable, curable or treatable. Despite this, there are ways to manage and live with it. If diagnosed with any neurodivergent disorder, a healthcare specialist will inform you about resources to help you, including possible management options or therapy programs. For certain conditions, such as ADHD, some medications can help and improve quality of life. These can all demonstrate how to adapt to your strengths and challenges, leading to a happy life.^1,3

Summary

The term “neurodivergence” does not have one meaning. It varies from person to person and can affect people in different ways. It is used to refer to the ways and differences that someone’s brain processes and understands information. Neurodivergence is complex, with not only different types of conditions but also spectrums of severity within each condition. Through learning how to manage your neurodivergence, and being able to adapt, it is possible to have a high-quality and unimpaired life. Being neurodivergent is not something to hide, and society is becoming more aware and understanding of what it can entail.