Neurodiversity: The Next Wave in Mental Health
Neurodiversity recognizes the natural variation in how human minds and brains work, rather than treating every difference as something to fix. This essay introduces the movement’s reframe, names both its strengths and real access barriers, and offers practical ways to support acceptance and accommodation.
Have you ever been made fun of because of your high sensitivity?
Or bullied for the way or speed with which you can read, write, or articulate your thoughts?
Perhaps you’ve been called scatter-brained or mocked for having ADHD or some other learning disorder?
Have you ever felt (or been made to feel) “other” for the way your brain just seems to be wired?
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Do you feel like you have a really different way of thinking and processing and sometimes (often) feel misunderstood because of this?
If you found yourself nodding along to any of these comments, it could be that you’re part of a large group on this planet who are neurodiverse.
And, if you’ve ever been shamed, blamed, or made to feel “other” for being neurodiverse, you’re not alone.
BUT, far from it being a bad thing, neurodiversity is a beautiful, powerful way of being in the world, despite what dominant social messages may otherwise have you believe.
Moreover, the neurodiversity movement is growing and, in my opinion as a therapist, may be the next big wave of mental health care activism as well as a big step forward in general social compassion.
So in today’s article, I want to introduce you to the concept of neurodiversity and the neurodiversity movement, share some examples of neurodiversity, help you understand why neurodiversity is a beautiful, powerful thing, and give you some suggestions to support yourself or a loved one if you/they experience neurodiversity.
What Neurodiversity Means
““Neurodiversity is the diversity of human brains and minds , the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.””
Nick Walker, scholar and author, Neurocosmopolitanism
While there are many definitions, neurodiversity (a term coined in the late 1990’s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer) at its root, views variances in the brain (and impacts of these variances) as natural and normal variations in the human genome, rather than assigning a pathological label to such variances.
Neurodiversity is a framework that understands variation in neurocognitive functioning as a natural part of human diversity rather than automatically as pathology.
In plain terms: a different way of processing, focusing, sensing, learning, or relating is not a defect. It may call for support, understanding, and accommodation.
The neurodiversity movement seeks to normalize these brain structure variances in much the same way that other movements have sought to normalize, celebrate, and make more inclusive racial diversity, sexual and gender expression diversity, body diversity, religious diversity, ableism diversity, and more.
The neurodiversity movement challenges established and pervasive social norms that see inherent brain structure variances not as something to be “fixed” or “cured”, but rather as authentic and valuable forms of biological expression that may need individualized supports and help instead.
Examples and Strengths
Examples of neurodiversity can include diagnoses such as ADHD/ADD, autism, bipolarity, and/or neurodiversity can also include personality traits relating to brain structure variances such as Sensory Processing Sensitivity, or learning capacity variances such as dyslexia or specific learning disorder.
Neurodiversity may often be invisible , even to those who have it and who don’t quite fully understand it or aren’t aware of it yet , and/or those with neurodiversity may actively try to make it look invisible thanks to the pervasive social stigma largely surrounding many neurodiverse populations.
Masking is the effort to hide, suppress, or compensate for traits in order to appear more typical or avoid stigma.
In plain terms: you may be working very hard to look “fine” in settings that do not actually fit how your brain works.
But chances are, you probably have someone (if not a lot of someones) in your life who are neurodiverse. And perhaps you are, too. And that can be such a beautiful thing!
Examples and Strengths
The neurodiversity movement is helping clinicians, educators, parents, and those themselves who identify as neurodiverse understand that there are, in fact, tremendous gifts and even social and evolutionary advantages that come along with being neurodiverse.
Whether this is possessing higher-than-average capacities for pattern recognition, memory and mathematics that can come with autism, hyperfocus and tremendous creativity that can come with ADHD, or vast wells of empathy and emotional attunement that can accompany Sensory Processing Sensitivity, neurodiversity, like with so many other forms of diversity, lends its owners gifts and advantages much like any other trait on this planet if framed and viewed this way.
When the World Is Not Accommodating
But, on the other hand, for all of the possible gifts and advantages of neurodiversity, our society is largely not built and accommodating for and to those who are neurodiverse.
From the setup and structure of the grade school classroom, to the dominant visual and auditory learning methodology of our nation’s education system, to highly stimulating open concept office spaces, to the pace, demands, and calendared structure of modern, urban professional life, those with neurodiverse brains can often feel overwhelmed, overstimulated, uncared for and just generally not supported in many systemic social structures we mostly exist in.
Not to mention, of course, the high degree of stigma that still erroneously surrounds many forms of neurodiversity, particularly those that are viewed as pathologized mental health issues or learning disabilities.
So how can we, either as someone who lives with, parents, or works with someone who experiences neurodiversity, support and lessen the stigma around neurodiversity?
Support and Accommodation
There are so many ways to support yourself, your child, your spouse or a friend or family member if you/they are neurodiverse.
Of course, seeking out appropriate and comprehensive medical and mental health care should be a primary first step, but beyond that, there is a range of things we can do to support the acceptance of neurodiversity in our personal spheres and, perhaps, more largely.
This list contains just a few ideas:
Expose ourselves to others’ stories: Hearing others speak up about their lives being neurodiverse can help normalize your (or your loved ones) experience and possibly make you feel less alone. I really encourage you to check out The Mighty for first-hand accounts of folks who live with a wide variety of neurodiverse (and health and ability diverse) experiences. Check out groups in your city/town or online (Facebook groups abound for this!) to help connect to likeminded others living with neurodiversity.
Tell your story. If and when you feel ready to tell your story, consider telling friends, fellow parents, or colleagues who you view as safe and supportive about your experiences living with neurodiversity.
Educate yourself. On the language, the reframe, the benefits of any particular neurodiverse elements, etc. By changing the way we view neurodiversity we can increase our understanding and compassion for ourselves and for others.
If you’re in a position to, practice proactive corporate and small business neurodiverse recruitment, retention, and accommodation supports. Learn more about the movement to do more of this in corporate America.
If you’re a parent or educator, ask for academic accommodations and supports that your child or student may need in order to accommodate their neurodiversity.
Q: What does neurodiversity mean?
A: The essay describes it as the natural diversity of human brains and minds, rather than a framework that automatically pathologizes difference.
Q: What are examples of neurodiversity?
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A: The essay names ADHD or ADD, autism, bipolarity, sensory processing sensitivity, dyslexia, and specific learning disorders as examples.
Q: Can neurodiversity have strengths?
A: The essay describes possible strengths including pattern recognition, memory, mathematics, hyperfocus, creativity, empathy, and attunement.
Q: Why can neurodiversity still feel difficult?
A: Schools, offices, and social systems are often not designed to accommodate neurodiverse needs, and stigma can add further strain.
Q: How can I be supportive?
A: The essay recommends appropriate care, learning from others’ stories, education, telling your story when safe, and seeking accommodations or workplace supports.
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Annie Wright is a licensed psychotherapist with 15,000+ clinical hours since 2013 and an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. She’s the founder and former CEO of Evergreen Counseling, a multimillion-dollar trauma-informed therapy center she successfully exited. She’s currently writing her first book, The Everything Years: Navigating the Pressure and Promise of Your Thirties, with W.W. Norton (2027). Her expert commentary has appeared in Psychology Today, Forbes, Business Insider, NBC News, and The Information.
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Annie Wright, LMFT
LMFT · Relational Trauma Focus · Author, W.W. Norton 2027
Helping driven women finally feel as good as their résumé looks.
Annie Wright is an EMDR-certified licensed psychotherapist and relational trauma specialist with over 15,000 clinical hours, and she's been in practice since 2013. Trained in EMDR, psychodynamic, and somatic modalities, she is licensed in 14 U.S. jurisdictions and registered to provide telehealth in Florida (California, Colorado (telehealth only), Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington). Annie works with driven and ambitious women from relational trauma backgrounds, and everything she writes about is field-tested across thousands of clinical sessions. She is the founder and former CEO of Evergreen Counseling, a multimillion-dollar trauma-informed therapy center she built, scaled, and successfully exited, and is currently writing her first book, The Everything Years: Navigating the Pressure and Promise of Your Thirties, with W.W. Norton (2027). A regular contributor to Psychology Today, her expert commentary has appeared in USA Today, Forbes, Business Insider, Inc., NBC, and The Information.
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