neurodiversity
Last updatedDefinition
The concept of neurodiversity was invented by sociologist Judy Singer in her 1998 honors thesis. Singer describes neurodiversity as the “limitless variability of human cognition and the uniqueness of each human mind.” The term aims to categorize autism, ADHD, and other developmental conditions as naturally occurring traits in the human population rather than pathologies to be “cured.”
Behaviors that are considered neurologically “normal” in one culture can be pathologized in others. For example, while many Western cultures consider a lack of eye contact during conversation “awkward” or “strange,” in Japan, constant eye contact can be considered rude. Just because a trait deviates from the current cultural norms, or the norms in one society, does not mean it lacks value.
Similar to biodiversity, neurodiversity benefits society as a whole. According to Singer, the more a society accepts and incorporates neurodiversity, the more stable and adaptable it will be to changes. Rather than focusing on people’s deficits, neurodiversity takes into account people’s gifts and their needs.
The neurodiversity movement is a civil rights initiative for neurological minorities (people with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, etc.).
A group or population can be neurodiverse, but a single person cannot, and the term generally isn’t used in a person-first way (e.g., “a person with neurodiversity”). An individual could be referred to as a neurominority or neurologically marginalized, or described with their diagnosis; some also call themselves “neurodivergent.”
Additional resources
- Clearing up some Misconceptions about Neurodiversity (Scientific American)
Summary
Neurodiversity refers to the presence of many different types of minds throughout the human race, all of which have valuable characteristics. The term aims to categorize autism, ADHD, and other developmental conditions as naturally occurring traits in the human population rather than pathologies to be “cured.” A group or population can be neurodiverse, but a single person cannot, and the term generally isn’t used in a person-first way (e.g., “a person with neurodiversity”). An individual could be referred to as a neurominority or neurologically marginalized, or described with their diagnosis; some also call themselves “neurodivergent.”