Neurodivergence

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All things neurodivergent and relating to the broader neurodivergent community (and communities).

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Where does the line get drawn, in your opinion, when it comes to Neurodivergent? (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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This post isn't to exclude anyone or anything, I'm just curious how people understand the term.

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

People who identify themselves as neurodivergent typically have one or more of the conditions or disorders listed below. However, since there aren’t any medical criteria or definitions of what it means to be neurodivergent, other conditions also can fall under this term as well. People with these conditions may also choose not to identify themselves as neurodivergent.

Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger’s syndrome).

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). [...]

I think, as someone who was diagnosed with ADD when young and Asperger's in my 20's, the term applies. But I'd much rather be called Neurodivergent than other labels, if I had to pick one.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

To me, my idea of neurodivergence is that it's a more neutral term what we'd typically call neurodevelopmental disorders, and could potentially be extended to personality disorders. Neurodivergent people are those with (typically) lifelong differences in brain function. I think it's a helpful concept at times but I also think it's far too vague and more specific diagnoses exist for a reason.

I'm torn on including personality disorders because on one hand, they feel more squarely problematic (particularly as someone whose mother is Borderline), but on the other, it's possible that "feeling squarely problematic" is influenced a whole lot by culture and personal opinion. I've experienced being judged by other people's shitty personal opinions too often to feel comfortable doing it with other people.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I completely see where you're coming from with the idea of including personality disorders because of that "feeling squarely problematic" definition. Drawing on some personal experience, I don't personally view myself as having a clearcut case of Asperger's because 1) it was never severe enough to be a huge problem and 2) it was diagnosed after I was already an adult, by one psychiatrist (out of many).

Saying to someone "I'm considered neurodivergent" makes more sense to me than saying "I might be on the Autism Spectrum, depending on who you ask."

Good insight!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

...Granted, most psychiatrists are idiots when it comes to ASD. They're operating on outdated as hell info and their own biases. I've seen way too much "well gee you're holding a conversation with me, there's no way your autistic" to actually take diagnosis seriously. I was diagnosed at six years old- It was obvious then and there was a ton of intervention- If I went for a diagnosis now, oh boy.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

That's a great point wrt: diagnosis as an adult. Many folks with ASD have learned how to mask effectively enough that they are then dismissed by psychiatrists later in life because they're not exhibiting specific symptom.

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