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Neurodiversity

This section is dedicated to neurodiversity efforts undertaken by KIDS Empower Community.

Types of Neurodiversity

ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the nervous system, including the brain, during development from childhood to adulthood. People with ADHD can experience impulsivity, hyperactivity, distractedness, and difficulty following instructions and completing tasks.

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia is a specific learning difficulty affecting coordination, movement, balance and organisation abilities. Motor difficulties include poor hand to eye coordination and spatial awareness, which can make it difficult for people with dyspraxia to carry out everyday functions such as writing.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a specific learning disability that affects written expression. Dysgraphia can appear as difficulties with spelling, poor handwriting and trouble putting thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia can be a language based, and/or non-language based disorder.

Irlen Syndrome

Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information.

Autism

Autism is a neurological developmental condition, characterised by repetitive patterns of behaviour and difficulties with social communication. Struggling to deal with change, mandatory actions, or other points of view can be elements of this learning difference.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. It can also include challenges with information processing, short-term memory and timekeeping.

Tourette's Syndrome

Tourette's Syndrome is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements. This is a complex condition and a large amount of people with the condition may also experience other disorders or conditions, such as anxiety.

Synesthesia

Synesthesia is a condition in which one sense (for example, hearing) is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses such as sight. Another form of synesthesia joins objects such as letters, shapes, numbers or people's names with a sensory perception such as smell, colour or flavor.

OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

Dyscalculia

Developmental Dyscalculia (DD) is a specific learning disorder that is characterised by impairments in learning basic arithmetic facts, processing numbers and performing accurate and fluent calculations.

Hyperlexia

Hyperlexia is a syndrome observed in people who demonstrate the following cluster of characteristics: A precocious, self-taught ability to read words which appears before age 5, and/or an intense fascination with letters, numbers. logos, maps or visual patterns.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.

FAQ

How can I find out if I’m neuro divergent or if my child is neuro divergent?

The first step to finding out if you, or someone you care for, are neuro divergent is to talk to your healthcare provider. They can refer you to a specialist or other providers who can determine if you have a medical disorder, condition or other brain-related difference that might explain why your brain works differently.

Is it possible to prevent, treat or cure being neuro divergent?

Neurodiversity refers to the unique way that each person’s brain develops. That means it’s not preventable, treatable or curable. Some of the conditions that cause a person to be neuro divergent are manageable. If a specialist or other healthcare provider diagnoses you (or someone you care for) with a condition like those mentioned above, they can also talk to you about resources for people with that condition. There’s a wide range of possible management options, therapy programs and more. For some people, such as those with ADHD, behavioral therapy and medication can positively affect their quality of life. For others, therapy programs can help you “play to your strengths,” meaning they show you how to make the most out of your abilities. They can also show you how to adapt to your challenges, minimizing their interference in your life.

Can people who are neuro divergent be successful?

Yes, many people who are neuro divergent are accomplished and successful. More and more people who are neuro divergent are talking about their experiences. Some examples of famous and successful people who are neuro divergent include: •Animal scientist and author Temple Grandin. •Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. •Musician and singer Florence Welch. •Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. •Climate activist Greta Thunberg. Experts also believe several accomplished historical figures were neuro divergent based on evidence from their lives. Those include: •Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist Marie Curie. •Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. •Artist Vincent Van Gogh. •Inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla. •Author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Business leaders also have a growing understanding of the value of being neuro divergent. In 2017, the magazine Harvard Business Review published “Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage.” The article details the benefits of hiring people who are neuro divergent and why more businesses are doing so. That same article noted that several major national and international corporations have hiring processes that can accommodate people who are neuro divergent. Those corporations include some of the largest names in information technology, the automotive industry, the banking sector and more.

What are some things I can do to support someone who is neuro divergent?

There are many things’ people can do to be supportive of neuro divergent individuals. Some of the most important things you should keep in mind include: 1.Listen. People who are neuro divergent may feel misunderstood or left out. Be willing to listen to them. Let them know you hear them and respect them and their choices. 2.Communicate in ways that help them. Sometimes, people who are neuro divergent prefer written communication such as instant messaging, texting or emails over a phone call or face-to-face conversation. Give them the time and tools they need to communicate. 3.Avoid value-based labels. Experts recommend against using the terms “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” to describe conditions like autism. They often assume a person’s level of function based on how much they behave like someone who’s neuro typical. 4.No two neuro divergent people are the same. The personalities and preferences of neuro divergent people can be widely different, even when they have the same underlying condition. 5.Don’t assume that anyone is incapable or unintelligent. People who are neuro divergent often have conditions or preferences that make them stand out or appear different. 6.Treat everyone with respect. You can “normalize” and provide others with accommodations in a way that honors their human dignity.

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