Throughout the world, 15-20% of the global population is neurodivergent, these conditions include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. This means one in five people, including millions of teens, experience some form of neurodiversity.
The week, March 17-23, is known as the neurodivergent celebration week. Julie Anderson, LZHS social worker, shares her knowledge after years of working with neurodivergent students.
“I define neurodiversity as the different ways our brains work. Being neurodivergent means having a brain that works differently from the average or neurotypical person,” Anderson said. “A student who is neurodivergent may have learning challenges, social skills deficits, executive functioning deficits, and more. They may not be able to read social cues, focus on one thing, have challenges with memory, struggle with impulse control, and may feel intense emotions.”
Neurodiversity can be a challenge that comes across many teens globally. John, whose name has been removed for anonymity, shares his insight on what it is like to deal with ADHD.
“When I was younger, it was more prominent and affected me more. [It would] distract me a lot from trying to keep focus [and I would] distract other people. If I was being disruptive, [it was] primarily because of [a] lack of focus,” John said. “I guess overall it contributes to being forgetful. You’re doing one thing, and then [a thought] just pops up in your brain [to] pick up [and] do something else, and you just forget about it.”
As John reflected on how his struggles with focus shaped his early years, Jane, whose name has been removed for anonymity, deals with dyscalculia, a learning disability that affects a person’s ability to do math. She shared a similar experience that went unnoticed for many years of her life.
“I didn’t know I had it until last year. I struggled a lot with verbal instructions, word problems, and following multi steps at a time. I misinterpreted a lot of directions and I had a really bad memory about them. Basic math concepts were a struggle, written or mental math, sequencing numbers, then I had severe anxiety over math and anything to do with numbers,” Jane said.
Jane’s experience reflects the challenges that many other neurodivergent individuals face, particularly when it comes to processing information. However, the struggles she describes are often misunderstood, leading to various misconceptions about neurodiversity.
“Some misconceptions regarding people who are neurodivergent include thinking that they are less intelligent, that Autism is the only neurotype and that all people experience neurodivergence the same way,” Anderson said.
Understanding these misconceptions is important, but so is finding useful strategies to help many through life. For many neurodivergent individuals, developing coping mechanisms can make a significant difference in managing challenges and staying focused.
“[Things that help me deal with ADHD are] keeping myself stimulated and also keeping myself [on a] routine, so whether setting alarms or writing out a list of things I need to do, overall just keeping myself simulated in order to focus,” John said. “In the past, if I can’t concentrate in a class, then I’d have a notebook and just keep my body stimulated while I’m trying to focus.”
Developing effective strategies is important, but raising awareness and understanding is equally important. When awareness is increased, society can create a more supportive environment for those who face neurodivergent challenges.
“I think awareness should be brought for these types of struggles so that people are better informed and understand. If people were better informed and understood people’s differences, hopefully people would not judge the neurodivergent, instead, they would include and support them,” Anderson said.
Raising awareness can help defeat these harmful stereotypes, but the reality is that many still face a lot of judgement. This lack of acceptance can lead to personal struggles, but many still have not recognized that their struggle can also be seen as a unique strength.
“I feel like there’s a lot of discrimination. People tend to lose patience and become easily frustrated, and that can cause you to hate yourself. Sometimes you internalize it. I thought I was cursed for the longest time, but truly it was a gift,” Jane said. “We’re warriors who have to fight battles every day. We have limitations that do not defy us as people, but we also have advantages that others do not have. I think it means you’re one of the strongest people in the world.”
