Understanding Neurodiversity: A New Lens on Human Potential

A few years back, I attended a workshop in the Adirondack Mountains, where I found a book titled And I Know Too Much to Pretend: A Memoir by Lorraine M. Duvall. The book is autobiographical about the author's pioneering spirit and speaks of women's complex journeys to honor their paths. It is a very insightful read about an individual's talent complexity.

Adults and children on the spectrum are blessed with incredible gifts in memory, focus, detail and visual perception. This community often goes beyond societal constraints, challenging norms, viewpoints, regulations, and beliefs.

Neurodivergent individuals bring unique strengths, perspectives, and talents that can lead to creativity, and problem-solving in ways that neurotypical individuals might not consider. Instead of forcing conformity, the focus should be on creating environments where all individuals can thrive by providing accommodations, and valuing different cognitive styles.

Should individuals who are neurodiverse change themselves to conform to mainstream society? Why or why not?

The moment we move past labeling, neurodivergence will stop from being exposed to stigmatization. This process begins with the parents' understanding that their child shouldn't be "rejected" but that their parenting style should be adjusted.

How does society benefit from different ways of thinking?

Throughout history, human thought has evolved, shaping advancements in medicine, technology and culture. The evolution of thinking has shown that challenging conventional wisdom leads to growth. More specifically, neurodivergent individuals often excel in pattern recognition, deep focus, and out-of-the-box thinking, which have contributed to advancements in science, technology, art, and business.

The evolution of thinking has shown that challenging conventional wisdom leads to growth. Innovators like Elon Musk questioned mainstream beliefs, ultimately shaping the way we understand the world today. By valuing diverse thought processes, society fosters creativity and inclusivity, ensuring it can adapt to change and continue evolving for the better.

How can we move away from the stigma of neurodiversity being regarded as something to fix and toward an understanding of it as a normal variation of humanity?

Freedom of choice in education, encouraging public awareness, and recognition play crucial roles in this shift. By integrating neurodiversity into school curriculums, workplace training, and media representation, we can normalize these differences rather than pathologize them.

How does the concept of neurodiversity apply to any of the following programmatic course themes:

In the matter of self-care.

Neurodivergent individuals face challenges that require personalized self-care strategies. For example, social exhaustion, also called “autistic burnout”, is experienced more intensely due to societal pressures to conform, making it crucial to create supportive environments.  Accepting and understanding their traits helps them create coping methods that reduce stress and improve well-being(Guest Pryal, 2024). The neurodiversity movement encourages embracing these differences instead of seeing them as weaknesses.

In the matter of social justice.

The neurodiversity movement supports the rights and inclusion of  individuals on the spectrum, pushing back against unfair treatment. It encourages acceptance and equal opportunities.  

Embracing neurodiversity is more than just practicing fairness in our society; it also recognizes the valuable contributions neurodivergent individuals bring to society. When we foster inclusion and understanding, we create a world where everyone's strengths are acknowledged and appreciated (Gerlach, 2023).

In the matter of career connections.

Welcoming neurodiversity into the workplace allows organizations to tap into a diverse pool of distinctive skills and innovative thinking. Employees with neurodivergent profiles frequently demonstrate remarkable cognitive strengths. When businesses actively cultivate an inclusive environment that values and leverages these unique capabilities, they can unlock significant competitive advantages and offer a more dynamic, high-performing workplace.

Alice Thomson, a columnist and interviewer at The Times, emphasizes that neurodiverse individuals, including notable figures like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, possess unique strengths that drive innovation and societal advancement. She advocates for better support and opportunities to harness these talents effectively(Thomson, 2025).

In the matter of ethics.

The advocacy for ethical neurodiversity focuses on recognizing and accepting individual differences while ensuring fair treatment and genuine inclusion. This approach rejects harmful strategies that seek to "fix" neurodivergent individuals, instead it promotes their inherent worth and right to self-determination. 

In special education(Kushwaha et al., 2024), ethical frameworks emphasize respecting individual differences and ensuring that educational practices are inclusive and non-discriminatory. This involves providing appropriate accommodations and supports to meet each student's unique needs, thereby promoting their autonomy and dignity.

References

Thomson, A. (2025, January 28). Neurodiversity is a power we must tap into. The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/neurodiversity-is-a-power-we-must-tap-into-2t56jj8pr?utm

Guest Pryal, K. R., J.D., Ph.D. (2024, May 20). Burnout and Neurodiversity. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-neurodivergence/202405/burnout-and-neurodiversity

Gerlach, J., LCSW (2023, September 13). Celebrating Neurodiversity Is Not Just About Social Justice. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-mental-health/202309/celebrating-neurodiversity-is-not-just-about-social-justice

Kushwaha, R. K., Yadav, K., Yadav, P. K., & Yadav, M. K. (2024). Ethical Frameworks in Special Education (1st ed.). Bluerose Publishers. https://books.google.com/books?id=xSAaEQAAQBAJ&lpg=PA58&ots=rNZGxh1BhB&dq=advocacy%20for%20ethical%20neurodiversity&lr&pg=PA48#v=onepage&q=advocacy%20for%20ethical%20neurodiversity&f=false

This is a discussion for Southern New Hampshire University. Topic: Neurodiversity