Neurodiversity: what is it? And why do we need to talk about the subject?

What does it mean to be atypical (neuroatypical) or neurodivergent?

Before starting to explain the concept of neurodivergence, it is important to understand some nomenclatures.

When a person has neurological development and functioning within regular standards – as is the majority of the population – they are considered neurotypical.

Therefore, the opposite – when this neurological functioning is different or divergent – ​​we can call it neuroatypical, neurodivergent ou just atypical.

This definition becomes very simple to understand in the first episodes of the series. Atypical, from Netflix. It tells the story of Sam, a teenager with Autism Spectrum Disorder who enters adulthood and has to face situations common to all young people, but complex for him, such as dating and entering university.

A série Atypical also discusses – albeit on the surface – the concept of neurodiversity.

What does neurodiversity mean?

According to National Neurodiversity Symposium (2011) held at Syracuse University, in the United States, neurodiversity is:

“…um conceito onde as diferenças neurológicas devem ser reconhecidas e respeitadas como qualquer outra variação humana. Essas diferenças podem incluir aquelas rotuladas como Dispraxia, Dislexia, Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH), Discalculia, Espectro Autista, Síndrome de Tourette e outros.”

In other words, neurodiversity consists of recognizing and respecting differences in brain functioning.

Following this criterion, a condition such as autism It is understood as part of who the person is. Thus, neurodiversity activists reject the idea that autism is a disability or disability. Instead, they celebrate the different forms of communication and self-expression of people with autism, promoting support systems that allow them to live as someone who does not have this condition.

Representation on the internet

The Covid-19 pandemic and greater connectivity have helped give a voice to neurodivergent people, an important issue when it comes to representation. Through online platforms it is possible to form a movement of self-defense and acceptance. 

Singer and Grammy winner Billie Eilish, for example, made Tourett Syndrome more visible when talking about the disorder, which is often the subject of jokes and misunderstanding.

How did the concept of neurodiversity emerge?

The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s when Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term to promote equality and inclusion for “neurological minorities.” 

“While primarily a social justice movement, neurodiversity research and education are increasingly important in how doctors view and address certain neurological conditions,” he says. Nicole Baumer, a child neurologist at Boston Children's Hospital and instructor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, in an article written for Harvard Helph Publishing.

Curto Curatorship:

• Neurodiversity: what it is and how social networks have helped with diagnoses (BBC)
• Dyspraxia: a childhood disorder that can go unnoticed (Drauzio/UOL)
• What is neurodivergence and what does it mean to be neurodivergent? (Verry Well Mind)

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