Neurodivergence is a fairly recent term. Introduced to the world by Australian sociologist Judy Singer in 1998 to describe people whose brains work differently from established neurotypical norms. In 2020, Organizational Psychologist Nancy Doyle estimated that about 15-20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent. That’s 1 out of every 5 people you meet.
So, what does neurodivergent mean?
While neurodivergent is a nonmedical term, the neurological conditions that fall under this umbrella include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and other dysfunctions. Even Tourette’s syndrome is a neurodivergent condition.
What is notable about this group is that most “sufferers” of these various medical conditions can and do function within society without others being aware of their disabilities. Overachievers aren’t undesirable based on their single-minded focus on delivering results. According to a survey among the C-suite employees, a whopping 45% self-identify as neurodivergent.
GenZ is even more likely to self-identify as neurodivergent (53%) without viewing their conditions as unmanageable. Gen Alpha children are most likely to get diagnosed early and subsequently provided with learning options designed to address their specific needs.
When should parents worry?
What should parents look out for and when should they consult the pediatrician?
One clue may be found in your child’s social interactions. Are they slow to pick up on social cues when in groups? Do they tend to have trouble communicating? Or making eye contact with their peers? Are they super sensitive to stimuli?
Next, observe your children’s habits. Are any of them unusually stubborn about completing specific routines in a specific order? Do they exhibit repetitive behaviors? Is it hard for your child to focus on an activity? Or, on the flip side, do they become fixated on engaging in an activity way beyond what a typical session would consist of?
Of course, even neurotypical children go through periods where they may be restless, moody or just sensitive within a certain group. That doesn’t necessarily signal neurodivergence.
A certain amount of excess seems to be the key, especially as atypical behaviors continue throughout childhood into adolescence. And yes, these may be much harder to spot in children who learn to mask the most noticeable quirks of their neurodivergent condition through achievement.
Star athletes are rarely questioned about their work routines. Neither is the math whiz or musical prodigy. Yet QuestLove (autism), Amanda Gorman (auditory processing disorder) and Simone Biles (ADHD) are all neurodivergent.
Meaning, there is no need to panic when facing a diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition. Consult trustworthy sources in your area and speak to your child’s school about available resources.
This article is sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in partnership with Word In Black News.
