I have heard many people speak about levels of neurodiversity, such as Autism and ADHD, and whether someone is just a little bit or very ND. The other similar comment I hear is that everyone is a little bit ND. Neither of these thoughts is right, and I would like to share my thoughts and feelings about this.
Neurodiversity isn’t a choice.
It's not an illness that can be cured, you don’t grow out of it, it does not just affect certain types of people, and it’s not something that affects every human. The ND brain is wired differently from the neurotypical (NT) brain, and it is this difference in physiology that creates the differences and difficulties. There are many theories about why someone might be ND, and one of the common theories is genetics. This is why it is often the case that when someone finds out they are ND, they also discover other members of the family are too.
As for being a little bit ND, or very ND, this isn’t quite right. Basically, you either are or you aren’t. However, the confusion possibly comes from the fact that every ND person presents differently from every other one. There are many traits that can be seen as a recurring sort of theme, but each ND individual has their own variation of how this affects them and how they appear in the world.
As for having levels of neurodiversity, it’s not that easy to define. As I said, you’re either ND or not. However, the level of support needed varies hugely, and the traits or symptoms can be visible in very different ways. For example, many NDs are successfully living independent lives, with very little support, and appear to be “less Autistic” than someone who is mute or unable to complete what are considered to be simple tasks. Both are Autistic, but each needs something very different. There are then all the other presentations that fall on the spectrum, which could look nothing alike, and therefore seem to not fit the parameters.
Regarding the sweeping statement that everyone is a bit ND, or on the spectrum, this is not the case. As previously mentioned, there is a physiological brain difference for a start. Many NT people display ND traits and tick a couple of the boxes when looking at the likelihood of being ND, and this is quite normal. After all ND traits are just human behaviours and a different way of doing things. The main difference is the number of these traits someone displays, how often they occur, and the impact they have on day-to-day life.
I wonder how many people who make the sweeping statement have noticed traits in themselves, have never been diagnosed, and are worried about being “different”?
Before I discovered my neurodiversity I saw many of those odd things I do as normal, and believed everyone does it like that or thinks like me. When I started to piece it together, I saw a very different picture and a very different version of myself that I did not know existed. I had very little knowledge about all things ND until I started to research and got my diagnosis. I no longer fear being “different” from the majority and have embraced all my little quirks, strengths, and oddities.
I’ve had people tell me that a diagnosis doesn’t matter and I am still like everyone else around me. I choose to believe they think this is a positive thing to say, rather than being a bit ableist. The truth is I am not like everyone else, I am not even like my ND people. However, I can now connect with other people in better ways, I can allow myself to do things in the ways that make me happy, and I no longer feel “wrong” for being different.
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I hope you enjoyed reading this blog on neurodiversity and autism.
If you would like support or help to talk about anything in this blog, please get in touch. I know things can be confusing at times, and that's why I am here.
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