In 20 years, people will look back at how neurodivergent people were labelled as having a disorder and feel horrified at the choice of word. It’s not a disorder. They are not ill. Some environments are shit for them, some are great. Use different words.
Language really does matter, in all areas of life. I saw an article last week, written by a Dr, for world Bipolar that said how people with Bipolar suffer daily. I don’t suffer, I live with Bipolar. The article wording was changed. When we know better we do better, and we have to keep calling it out
The one I can't vibe with is ADHD, it's not a deficit it's a regulatory issue!! My sister's autism seemed to define her for so long and it's wild to me that people didn't see the bookworm who had impeccable memory for anything film-related that liked Maryland cookies because you get more chips-to-biscuit ratio that other brands (the crunch is also elite, she's got me there!) Being diagnosed with ADHD was really hard to accept but the discourse around neurodiversity hasn't changed much between my diagnosis last year and my sister's some 25 years ago.... Let's hope for a far more inclusive discussion from today and far better representation across all media!
Totally agree Aaron Asadi. This simplistic thinking assumes we are all neurosimilar in the first place and that only some are divergent. Whereas those with the most difference in fact have the most potential. I never want to be in a team or group of people who are not neurodivergent. With sons who are dyslexic I can see their amazing potential every day.
Completely agree. Who knows, maybe one day our education system will catch up too. We all have different skills in various environments. My 15 y/o autistic nephew may not ‘suit’ the traditional education system but if my car broke down and needed fixing, or if I needed something taking apart and putting back together again, there’s no one I’d rather have by my side.
Pete Dixon
1y
✋🏻 I’m still not certain which terms to use. I know that ‘to suffer’ with a ‘condition’ or a ‘disorder’ is wrong. But are ‘divergent’ & ‘typical’ ok? They don’t sound ok… I completely agree that there is less of a handicap now that we understand better. (“Evolution” was a good one!)
Bill Gannon
1y
As a father and husband of such wonderful super-powered individuals I could not agree more!
My daughter was a tad surprised when she read her diagnosis letter because it included the word disorder. She needs a few adjustments, but she also has an amazing eye for detail, an incredible sense of direction and superb spatial awareness. I have noticed a positive change in conversations about neurodiversity, but we need to continue raising awareness to create lasting change.
Jez Corden
1y
Hopefully we'll look back and arrest those in power who worked hard to marginalise them too.
'Thank you', for positive post. ADHD's brought me battles & brilliant stuff, in equal measure. 3 weeks to find my pants? Maybe. A person who, it seems, anyone will talk to, about anything? Tick. A privilege. Started Podcast during Lockdown with fellow journalist & ADHD'er, Emma Mahony https://open.spotify.com/show/1IjxKUF9emtCUYzPmz093i?si=X2FzdERAQe2tGkci6CtTBg
Special Effects / Digital Asset Manager
1ysome "neurodivergent" attributes seem to indicate better information processing and the ability to notice more things at once. Hardly a handicap. Maybe it's an evolution?