Understanding Neurodivergence: A Different Way of Thinking
Have you ever felt like your brain works a bit differently than others around you? Maybe you struggle with tasks that seem to come easily to others, (for me it’s keeping my living space organised), or excel at things that most people find challenging. If so, you're not alone—and there's a word for this: neurodivergence.
“Neurodivergence” describes people whose brains develop or work differently, meaning they have different strengths and struggles from people whose brains develop or work in more “neurotypical” ways. It's not a medical diagnosis, but rather a way of recognizing that there's no single "right" way for a brain to function.
Who Is Neurodivergent?
According to a study published in 2020 in the British Medical Journal, about 15% to 20% of the world's population shows signs of neurodivergence. That's roughly one in five people! Common neurodivergent experiences include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Differences in social communication, sensory processing, and focused interests
ADHD: Challenges with attention regulation, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
Dyslexia: Difficulty with reading and language processing
Dyspraxia: Challenges with coordination and movement
Dyscalculia: Difficulty with mathematical concepts
A Shift in Perspective
Traditionally, neurodivergent conditions were viewed purely through a medical lens—as deficits that needed to be fixed. But a growing movement recognizes neurodivergence as natural human variation. Research shows people who learn they're different—not sick or defective—are more likely to be happier and aim higher in their careers.
This doesn't mean ignoring real challenges. Many neurodivergent individuals benefit from support, accommodations, or medical interventions. But the goal shifts from trying to make someone "normal" to helping them thrive as themselves.
The Workplace Reality
Despite making up such a significant portion of the population, neurodivergent people face considerable barriers. 85% of people with autism in the United States are unemployed, compared to just 4.2% of the overall population, according to the World Economic Forum. Yet research shows that teams with neurodivergent professionals in some roles can be 30% more productive than those without them.
The skills neurodivergent individuals bring to work are valuable and diverse. Autistic brains are said to be highly creative with exceptional concentration, logic, imagination and visual thought, and people with ADHD have great imagination and score higher on creativity tests than non-ADHD people.
Moving Forward
Understanding neurodivergence starts with recognizing that different doesn't mean deficient. It means creating environments—at work, in schools, and in our communities—that accommodate different ways of thinking rather than forcing everyone into the same mold.
Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, know someone who is, or are just learning about this for the first time, awareness is the first step toward inclusion.
Food for thought:
What might the world looked like if we designed it to accommodate the full spectrum of human minds from the beginning, rather than expecting everyone to adapt to a single standard? What would you like to see changed?
