Neurodiversity is a concept that has gained popularity in recent years, so much so that lately it seems like a popular buzzword, especially on social media, especially among folks who have either been diagnosed with (or recognize within themselves) characteristics common to the sensory and/or neurodevelopmental challenges associated with ADHD, autism or (something not thought possible before) a combination of the two.
But what does neurodiversity mean? According to a 2021 article on Harvard Medical School’s blog (Harvard Health – here) “neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.”
Historically autism has been so heavily stigmatized (read: severely stereotyped and profoundly misunderstood) that many individuals with autistic traits have felt that the only way to deal with them was to deny, minimize, downplay, or hide them — even from themselves.
But lately, as our collective understanding of autism grows richer, more individuals, especially those who identify with autistic traits associated with its “high-masking,” and/or “feminine” presentations are now wondering if they have in fact been “actually autistic” all along.
The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, aiming to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences. Through online platforms, more and more autistic people were able to connect and form a self-advocacy movement. At the same time, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion of “neurological minorities.” While it is primarily a social justice movement, neurodiversity research and education is increasingly important in how clinicians view and address certain disabilities and neurological conditions.
Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd and Julia Frueh, MD
This more nuanced understanding of autism has also led to an emerging realization that ADHD and autism are not mutually exclusive (as was previously thought). In the past, mental health practitioners were expected to diagnose only one or the other, not both. Factor in the fear and stigma surrounding autism and it makes sense that as children many of us were assigned the label ADHD or simply labeled “sensitive” and/or “eccentric” without looking any further. Many of us felt alien or too odd for this world and preferred to remain hidden or unseen rather that risk being rejected and/or misunderstood.
As a result, many adults who grew up with these labels and some who did not — due in large part to masking (remaining unnoticed to avoid social pitfalls) now wonder if they are actually autistic instead, or if their experience might best be described by the combination of these two neurodivergent (ND) presentations, now lovingly labeled AuDHD (in the vernacular — this is not a clinical term — yet).
Books like Unmasking Autism by Dr. Devon Price have heralded a sea change around the topic of neurodivergence and neurodiversity, even to the point of suggesting that self-diagnosis is valid (or should be), particularly when self-understanding is the goal.
If you are curious about this topic and wonder, like so many now do, whether your way of being in the world might actually intersect with autism, especially if you have a highly sensitive temperament and/or grew up feeling invalidated and/or like you do not fit in to “neurotypical” (NT) society, maybe you should try searching hashtags like #actuallyautistic #neurodivergent #nd #audhd #youmightbeautistic on social media (i.e., TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit) to see what people are saying about this topic and find out whether and how this conversation resonates with you.
