Are you a Neurodivergent? If you are, then you probably know that you are different from most people in the world, and you may feel like you don’t have a clue. You also might be worried about what you’re going to do with your life. But there are things you can do to help you make sense of your neurodivergence and find some meaning in your life.
You absolutely are neurodivergent
Neurodivergence is an understanding that each person’s brain and body work differently from everyone else’s. This difference is a natural part of how our brains develop. However, it can also have negative consequences. Having an atypical brain or body can affect your job performance, your relationships, and even your wellbeing.
It is estimated that up to one in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent. Although the term is not used officially, many people think of themselves as neurodivergent.
Many people with neurodivergence have a variety of different strengths and weaknesses. They may learn more efficiently, have a better memory, or be able to work through processes more easily.
While neurodivergence can make life difficult, it is not a disability. In fact, people with neurodiversity tend to be happier and more productive. As a result, it can be helpful for employers to understand how to support and accommodate their employees.
People with neurodivergence are often misunderstood. Often times, people with ADHD are misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. If you are unsure about your own neurodivergence, it’s best to seek professional advice.
A formal diagnosis can help to clarify your personal functioning. You may find that you have dyslexia or a learning disorder, for example. These conditions can be treated with medication and therapy to improve your quality of life.
Similarly, autism can cause a variety of issues for patients. They may have trouble making eye contact, expressing their needs, or dealing with social situations.
You may need accommodations
If you are a neurodivergent student, you may have been told you need accommodations for a test. It’s not uncommon for students to feel awkward in school and for some, the curriculum is too difficult. The good news is that you may be able to meet your school’s requirements and score well on your tests.
There are numerous accommodations available. These include extending your study time, letting you take a quick break during the test, and even moving you to a quiet room. For your exams, you may be asked to provide some documentation from a specialized doctor. You’ll probably also be referred to an accessibility coordinator.
A good place to start is your college’s support services. Most schools will make arrangements for you, but if not, you may want to look into a private tutoring service. As a student, you need to know what your school’s policy is on accommodating students with disabilities.
For you to be truly prepared, you may need to make the case for special testing accommodations. Luckily, some colleges and universities are more than happy to help out. Some have dedicated staff to assist students with learning disabilities. This can be especially helpful for those with ADHD.
Using a technology such as a smart phone can help you manage tasks more efficiently. Another cool-guy thing to do is build a support network. This can be achieved by attending a support group meeting, where you can network with other students with similar challenges.
You may mask your neurodivergent characteristics to fit into society’s standards of neurotypical behaviour
Often people with autism and other neurological conditions feel pressure to mask their true identity. This is particularly true for adults. They might be tempted to change their body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. These changes can be quite exhausting and may lead to meltdowns.
Researchers have found that individuals with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) have decreased their ability to camouflage their true personalities. Rather than trying to conceal their true selves, individuals with ASC may prefer to ‘copy’ the mannerisms of neurotypical individuals, which can reduce the impact of social interactions.
Although researchers have studied many aspects of the phenomenon, they have not examined how individuals with ASC might use camouflaging to adapt to their environments. It is hoped that such research will lead to more innovative support strategies.
For example, research has shown that women may be more adept at camouflaging symptoms than males. One possible explanation is that females may be better at hiding social discomforts, such as emotional empathy.
Another factor that contributes to the difficulty of masking is the fact that “normal” perceptions vary significantly by culture. In fact, some parents may feel that autism is a disorder rather than a disability.
Regardless of their individual circumstances, however, it’s important for neurodivergent individuals to be able to access the resources they need. Disability Services can provide person-centred support to help you achieve this.
You may not want to make eye contact
Many neurodivergent people struggle with making eye contact. This can be due to several reasons. The most common reason is that it is tiring. However, there is no evidence to suggest that it is harmful.
Another reason could be that people with autism or ASD are more prone to eye contact difficulties. They may not respond to repeated eye contact cues or have trouble maintaining the eye contact required during conversations.
Even if people with ASD or other disabilities have difficulty making eye contact, that doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent or don’t have value. In fact, they may be happier than most people.
When it comes to working with people with disabilities, there are many different ways to accommodate them. You can use ramps, automatic doors, loud crosswalks, or specialized equipment. Using a combination of these strategies can help you honor the human dignity of people with disabilities.
You should also not demand that people make eye contact. If you have someone with a disability on your team, you can let them decide when they are ready to start interacting with you.
Some people with neurodivergence have a strong preference for written communication. This means that they can be excellent record keepers. Also, they have an unusual attention to detail that can be beneficial for certain professions.
One of the best computer programmers is a neurodivergent. Many artists and engineers are also neurodivergent.
You may have difficulty communicating
Having difficulty communicating can be a difficult experience. It can be a result of a medical condition, but it can also be caused by a psychological condition. Neurodivergence is the concept that some people have brain differences that are a natural part of their development.
The term “neurodivergent” was first coined by Judy Singer. She was a psychologist and advocate for neurodiversity. Her goal was to remove social stigmas related to autism.
Many neurodivergent individuals are successful in their careers and lives. These individuals may be challenged by social situations, but they can overcome them and adapt to the situation. They have a wide variety of management tools available to them.
Some accommodations for neurodivergent individuals are legally required by law. Others can be made in conjunction with a compassionate treatment team.
If you are a neurodivergent individual, you might be interested in joining an advocacy group. This can be a great way to meet other people with similar experiences. By doing so, you can gain a better understanding of how neurodiversity works and how to support individuals with it.
Individuals with a diagnosis of social communication disorder (SCD) may struggle with nonverbal communication. There is no cure for this condition, but the right accommodations can help. For example, wearing noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments can assist a person with SCD.
If you do not know how to help a person with SCD, you can speak to your healthcare provider. You can also talk to the individual to find out what types of accommodations can be made.
Quantum thinking is a skill for neurodivergent people
Quantum thinking is a skill that neurodivergent people can use to get a better understanding of the world around them. By using this new type of thinking, it’s possible to see the bigger picture and avoid falling into the trap of tunnel vision.
Neurodivergent people, like many others, have special abilities. These may include the ability to hyperfocus, the ability to identify patterns in brain activity, or the ability to be incredibly logical. But they also have some weaknesses. For instance, they may struggle with skills that come naturally to most people.
Quantum thinking is a skill that enables individuals to consider both the positive and negative aspects of an idea. It can allow for more empathetic thinking and it helps to break down preconceived notions about the world. In a lifetime, a person’s thoughts will become more varied, and quantum thinking can help them to avoid being trapped in a single viewpoint.
There are several ways to develop this skill. First, a person must be able to understand the concept of duality. This requires them to be able to hold two different ideas at the same time, while still pursuing the objective truth.
Another option is to work with organisations that specialise in helping neurodivergent individuals. For instance, Auticon has been helping adults with autism and other neurodivergent conditions to find work in the technology industry. They’ve helped people such as James Brashko, a KPMG DevSecOps engineer, to pursue a career in cyber security.