Understanding Neurodivergence
Our minds work in different ways.
Despite extensive research into the brain, much remains undiscovered. However, in recent years, a framework has emerged too describe what we do know: neurodivergence. The term gained prominence on Google Trends during the coronavirus lockdowns of June 2020. As then, “neurodivergent” has resonated online, in media, and in academic studies, fostering a more inclusive discussion of neurological differences.
The term originated in the late 1990s and was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2002. The Oxford English Dictionary followed suit in 2019.
For this week’s “Word of the Week,” we’re exploring “neurodivergent.”
What does neurodivergent mean?
Neurodivergent is an umbrella term for individuals whose information processing differs from societal norms, according to Nick Walker, a psychology professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
“Brains differ from each other in the way fingerprints do.’Neurodivergence’ establishes this idea that within the spectrum of neurodiversity, there are dominant norms and divergences from those dominant norms,” he saeid.
A common misconception is that “neurodivergent” is a strictly medical term,limited to diagnoses like autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
“It super is not,” said neurodivergence activist Kassiane Asasumasu, who is credited with coining the word.
Walker explains that neurodivergence can arise in various ways. Some individuals are born neurodivergent, while others develop neurodivergences due to events like traumatic brain injuries or long COVID. Intentional neurodivergence is also possible, such as through frequent meditation or psychedelic use.
Where the word comes from
In the late 1990s, Asasumasu was a high school student active on online forums for people with autism.
“Neurodiversity” was coined a few years earlier by autistic civil rights activists. People often confuse neurodivergence and neurodiversity, but there is a crucial distinction, Walker said.
“The spectrum of human neurodiversity includes everybody ever,including people who are within the dom