Neurodivergence
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What is
Neurodivergence?
It is a difference in the way the brain works
ADHD and Autism are two “conditions” of many that are now considered to be neurodivergence, as a result of something called the Neurodiversity Movement.
The Neurodiversity Movement began in the 1990s and teaches us that these conditions are, actually, a normal part of the human genome and not necessarily something that is wrong with a person.
This movement stands in opposition to the mainstream “pathology” viewpoint that describes people with these conditions as having many “deficits” and “pathologies” in comparison to the general population.
Counselors and other helpers who adopt a neurodiversity-affirming approach work with clients to understand that the difficulties they face as adults are often the result of living in a society designed for neurotypical people.
We work with clients to structure a life that works *with* their brains instead of against it, as much as possible. And we definitely work to resolve mental health issues that are not something the client should have to experience – things like depression and disordered anxiety, trauma issues, family and relationship problems, etc.
Just as we would any other client.
All clients on my caseload are in some way neurodivergent at this point in my career, and I am a member of the neurodivergent community myself. These concepts are very important to me personally and professionally.
Strengths-Based ASD
Diagnostic Criteria
To meet diagnostic criteria for ASD according to DSM-5, a child must have persistent differences in each of three areas of social communication and interaction (see A1-A3 below) plus at least two of four types of repetitive behaviors (see B1- B4 below).
A-
Different social communication and interaction as evidenced by the following:
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Differences in communication- tendency to go off on tangents, tendency to talk passionately about special interests, and tendency to not engage in small talk.
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Differences in nonverbal communication, including stimming while talking, looking at something else while talking, and being bored with conversations
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Due to the above differences in communication, autistic people tend to be shunned by neurotypicals and therefore are conditioned to believe that we're somehow less social.
B-
Repetitive behavior or interests as evidenced by at least two of the following:
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Stimming or engaging in echolalia
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Security in routines. Autistic people do not have a sensory filter, so the world is perceived as a constant state of chaos. Routines and expectations give comfort to overwhelmed autistic people.
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Special INterests (SPINS)- Due to hyperconnected brains, autistic people feel more passionately about what we love, so when we have a special interest, we tend to fawn over and fixate on it.
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Hyper or hyporeactivity to stimuli- Again, due to hyperconnections, we feel things more intensely. Sometimes, however, we feel things less intensely because we tune them out in favor of other stimuli.
C-
We're born with these traits, but learn how to mask them. Sometimes, they only show up when we're stressed and let our guards down.
D-
These traits cause other people distress. Note- the DSM ONLY indicates impairment when it affects other people or jobs, but not when it's a daily issue that we learn to live with.
E-
It's not due to intellectual disability.
Matt Lowry, MS, Eds, LPP
Child & Adolescent Psychological Evaluations, LLC St. Matthews, KY
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Self-Diagnosis is Valid
Q- "I relate to things I see online, but how do I really know if I'm neurodivergent?"
When we look at autism and ADHD through the lens of neurodiversity, then it makes sense that we relate to each other, including on social media. It’s more of a subculture than a diagnosis in the neurodiversity model. Let’s remember that it wasn’t so long ago that being anything less than sexually straight was considered pathological and diagnosable. Now, there’s a flourishing queer community, just as is happening within the neurodivergent community.
I say this to validate the experience of relating to people who are talking publicly about things many of us hold inside and have masked for years, if not decades.
Q- Should I get a formal diagnosis?”
But how do we get a better sense of what neurotype we have? It would be great if formal assessments were readily available and easy and cheap to access for adults, but that is not the case.
In some cases, it can be important to get a formal evaluation, like if college or work accommodations are needed. But there are far more that either cannot or have chosen not to (for very good reasons, actually).
Q- How can I self-diagnose?"
Within the neurodivergent community, “self-diagnosis” is considered valid. If we don’t view these things as something inherently wrong with a person, then a “diagnosis” is not needed. We simply need to *identify* it, to see it in ourselves.
typically use the RAADS-R as a primary screening tool for autism because it can be so hidden, especially in people assigned female at birth. ADHD tools usually screen for executive functioning problems.
There’s a great website called Embrace Autism that provides lots of self-screening tools online. There are some for ADHD as well. Plus, we can do additional screenings in therapy and talk about those from that site.
