A Look Inside Neurodivergence
As with nearly any topic, especially any trending topic, there is a lot of information AND misinformation about neurodivergence to be found online. There are also various terms that can get used interchangeably and sometimes cause confusion leaving folks wondering “okay, what does this whole neurodivergence thing even mean?”
The purpose of this blog is to break down common terms and help you understand what neurodivergence is, as well as help you discern if neurodivergence resonates with your own experience or of that of someone you love.
Put simply, neurodivergence (which is a noun) is the phenomenon of brains operating differently. Neurodiverse and neurodivergent are synonymous adjectives both used to describe someone or someone’s brain that operates differently. As humans, we of course, are all diverse to some extent in how our brains operate, but what makes someone neurodiverse or neurodivergent is that there are certain proclivities, features, and traits that set them apart from the majority of brains, otherwise referred to as neurotypical brains.
The following conditions are some of many under the umbrella of neurodivergent:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder (BP), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), Synesthesia, Misophonia, Tic Disorders, Giftedness (and more).
So how does neurodivergence translate to day-to-day existing? It impacts:
how we interact with others (difficulty and/or disinterest with small talk, preference for depth-oriented or special-interest-specific conversations; experiences of: rejection sensitivity, conflict aversion, and PDA otherwise known as pathological demand avoidance, or more affirmingly referred to as pervasive demand for autonomy, can influence interactions with ND).
how dopamine is experienced: the dopamine threshold is naturally lower—therefore we have to seek more in order to feel it (neurotypical brains can feel the effect of dopamine more accessibly).
how intense our emotions feel which can translate to experiences of overwhelm, over-responsibility, shame, guilt, and discomfort.
sensory sensitivity (lights are too bright, noises are too loud or too layered or easily grating, certain textures are bothersome, food aversions may be greater, smells may overwhelm, physical affection may easily lead to feeling “touched out,” etc.).
pattern recognition perception and ability (pattern recognition can be greater and more of a focus for those with ND).
attention to details.
working memory: often operating at a differing capacity due to competing cognitions, sensory input noise being greater, interest level influencing ability to sustain focus to absorb what needs to be remembered.
focus: difficulty having the “right” amount of focus for the task, sometimes feeling under-focused or over-focused; focus strongly influenced by interest level.
the role and intensity of special interests: where hyper-focus can take hold if genuine interest is involved, creating a dopamine loop, rabbit holes and sometimes relentless pursuit of more information.
the speed at which cognitions (thoughts) occur, often experienced as cognitive hyperactivity in neurodivergence such as ADHD (especially in women).
the level of rigidity in beliefs and thinking (higher); justice sensitivity and passion; adherence level to own moral compass (typically strong).
the level of stimulation needed at any given moment. Those who are ND can be both understimulated and overstimulated more easily than neurotypical folks. Sometimes this prompts “stimming” meaning behaviors meant to increase stimulation or soothe someone. Examples are physical repetitive movements, foot tapping, oral sound making, or really any other thing that can be done repeatedly. Stimming can be extremely subtle or totally obvious and everything in between.
transitions between tasks, places, schedules, routines which on one end causes inadvertent and frequent task switching before completion and difficulty with completing things and on the other end can cause intense anxiety when transitioning from one thing to the next; sometimes both.
Though this list is far from exhaustive, it is starting to paint the picture of some key differences.
A big challenge in neurodivergence can be emotion regulation. The definition of being emotionally regulated is not to be constantly calm but to be feeling internally aligned in energy/adrenaline and intensity with the task or situation at hand and able to surf the waves of emotion as they come. You don’t want to be lethargic and on the brink of sleep just before you start your soccer game, you want to be revved up and excited yet focused. Likewise you don’t want to be surging with enough anxious energy it feels like you’re about to go on a roller coaster when you’re actually laying in bed trying to fall asleep, you want to feel calm and relaxed. Having experiences like these are examples of dysregulation which can be common for those who are neurodivergent.
It’s important to note that for a neurodivergent person, it may feel like the cultural norms influencing our expected activities, schooling, vocation, and relationships misalign with our natural rhythm, wants and needs. It may be hard to “function” in the ways it seems the world wants us to, or even feel nearly impossible.
Do you relate? Or perhaps you know someone who seems to experience these things.
Although neurodivergence is technically understood as a minority, it’s far from uncommon. If this has resonated with you, know that you’re not alone. In fact, we think you’re in good company.
We here at Foster believe that neurodivergence comes with many gifts and that differences are meant to be celebrated and met with curiosity, compassion and empowerment. We provide neuroaffirming therapy for those who identify as neurodivergent to assist them in discovering and aligning with their own values and goals, and foster them to find supports and systems to navigate a world that wasn’t necessarily built with them in mind.
Neuroaffirming care is to feel truly seen and fully embraced for perhaps the first time in a space where it is understood and valued.
We’re ready when you are. Connect with us here.
Written by: Katie Higgins
Information in this blog is a not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.