Neurodiversity and Wellbeing

Recently, it was said that 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent in the UK, but the numbers are growing. In a world that has traditionally been set up for the neurotypical, this has been a mine field for those who are neurodivergent. Time and time again, they believe they have failed, and the growing stigma they have felt, has caused significant harm to their wellbeing. 

Neurodivergent people have been told they are stupid, when in fact they may have been dyslexic or have dyscalculia, or they have been called clumsy when they have dyspraxia. They may have been called untidy, impulsive or lazy when they have ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder) or narrow minded or ‘too set in their ways’ when they have ASC (Autistic Spectrum Conditions). 

The neurodivergent people amongst us have known they are different but have not always understood why. 

However, there is a growing awareness that being neurodivergent is not a disease that has to be cured but is a condition that can be celebrated. Neurodivergent people are intelligent and capable and can offer skills to the neurotypical, that they themselves may lack. Their brains are wired differently.

The neurodivergent think more in spikes. They might not be good at certain skills and this brings lows but then they may well excel in other areas and these bring spikes. A neurotypical person’s thinking is more in a straight-line, as they achieve in most things at an expected rate. 

It is good to remember that no two neurodivergent people are the same. Some will have one skillset and some another. Many neurodivergent people have some of the skills listed below but they are expressed differently to each other. 

Typically, some of the skills, neurodivergent people can excel at are:

• Creativity – many neurodivergent people have great imaginations and are creative in both their thinking and their activities.
• Problem solving – a neurodivergent person can often see a different way to do something, so they solve problems in a more unusual but brilliant way with the ability to think outside the box.
• Innovation – with their creativity and ability to problem solve, the neurodivergent person might well be able to come up with original ideas and become entrepreneurs, finding solutions to problems in a way not thought of before.
• Productivity - some neurodivergent individuals such as those with ASC are able to stick to routines and work through what they have to do in an ordered and thorough way, meaning they can work more productively when on their own and work well in conditions others may have found hard like in the Pandemic.
• Logic- being more logical, can also mean that people with ASC are good at imputing and working with data, as they can work systematically. The ability to see patterns helps with codes and behaviours.
• Empathy - many neurodivergent people can be very empathetic and are able to show care and emotional support to others who are struggling.
• Strength – many neurodivergent people are strong as they have learnt to survive in a world that has not been easy for them. They have overcome many challenges and persevered to build up a tenacity and determinedness to succeed.

Unfortunately, many neurodivergent people, however, do not feel they are on top of their skillset. They feel hounded and scorned. They don’t feel good about their differences and have been belittled and bullied by people who do not understand that they are just different. Sometimes help can be found on the website and this can help the neurodivergent to find tips to overcome problems.

Neurodivergence is not a disease to be cured but the stigma some feel, needs to be addressed. It is good to seek help if a neurodivergent person is struggling to come to terms with their differences and who they are. Such a person needs to find a neurodivergent- affirming counsellor – one whose approach is to make the client the expert on their own experience and to work with the good and the bad that comes from that. In this way, more neurodivergent can learn to celebrate who they are instead of feeling shame and start to feel that they are on a firm and secure footing in the world.