WE ARE ALL UNDER A SPECTRUM — Ask a therapist.
Did you know that about 15–20 percent of the world is neurodivergent, yet we live in a neurotypically structured society?
As a creative writer entering the corporate world in a new environment, in an entirely different state, I quickly realised that I am definitely under a spectrum. I needed to know more, to understand what it entails, and to understand how to navigate my time and experience with this new information. Bear in mind, I already knew I was neurodivergent, but don’t know the extent. I am just now realising you can be diagnosed with two spectrums. This led to my curiosity, which begs the question, what makes a person neurodiverse or neurotypical? And how do we navigate our experiences.
Let me share with you my findings…
What it means, traits, strengths, and struggles of people under the spectrum known as Neurodiversity.
As a neurodiverse person, learning about my diagnosis and ways I can learn to manage it whilst working in the corporate space.
Diversity is often seen or talked about in terms of race, age, gender, and sexual orientation. However, as the knowledge of our mental health and individuality arises, our brain type comes into the discuss as well, leading to the topic of Neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity is a relatively new concept that has become a massive topic of discussion due to its impact and significance in our communities and the workplace. And learning about it will make us more self-aware, productive and understanding of our capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
My curiosity heightened during a recent experience in a role I had held early in the year. Although I had always known that I saw and thought things differently or that my brain and perspectives were wired different, the first time I placed a word to my first diagnosis was during a television advert, on a lovely evening with my mom in 2017/18 can’t recall precisely, that was the first time I heard and learned the term, Dyslexia.
Fast forward to 2024; this year, I learned from my therapist that I do have some level or amount of ADHD as well. The first thing that came to mind was, “Wow… does this mean I’m FUXKED? Having two neurodivergent diagnoses seemed a bit extreme, confusing, and difficult, but also because being under a spectrum has a negative connotation in my community, as it is barely talked about nor acknowledged, hence the need to share my experience and shed more light on the topic and create more awareness.
Rewinding back to the most recent experience in my new job; from no angle of the triangle, I began experiencing heightened symptoms of ADHD; I couldn’t concentrate at work, was triggered by light and noises made by my colleagues and being in a new environment, some variety of tasks and workload became too much to handle simultaneously, and understanding new systems needed more time to learn, which tripled my work stress, leading to overthinking, overflow, and sleep deprivation with little to no support nor encouragement at work. I was struggling so much that I needed to seek help, so I booked an appointment with a therapist on Betterhelp.com to help me understand better what I was going through, which was one of the best discussions I have ever made in my life, inspiring this content, providing you with brief insight into Neurodiversity precisely Dyslexia and ADHD.
Brief history of Neurodiversity
In 1998, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist and disability rights activist, coined the term “neurodiversity” to recognize that everyone’s brain develops uniquely. Like fingerprints, no two brains are identical, not even identical twins. That being said, the human brain has no standard capabilities. The term reached the limelight during the disability rights movement of the late 20th century. Judy and other disability activists agreed that it shouldn’t be viewed as a disability but instead as a natural variation in human experience, neither is it a mental or medical problem, hence advocating that Neurodivergent individuals should be accepted and supported, not stigmatised. This led to the embracement by many organizations, such as the World Health Organisation and other organisations, to review and recognise Neurodiversity.
Understanding Neurodivergence: ADHD and Dyslexia
Neurodivergence refers to the concept that neurological differences, like Autism, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, and Dyslexia, are natural variations of human cognition rather than disorders to be cured. Neurodivergent people experience the world differently, and these differences can influence how they think, learn, and interact with others. It is also referred to as a nonmedical term that describes people whose brains function differently. This means these persons has different strengths and struggles from those whose brains are categorized as Neurotypical.
However, some people who are neurodivergent have other medical conditions, and some others without medical diagnosis identified. Research has it that Dyslexia is rooted in biological factors and not an emotional, psychology or family-orientated problem. ADHD on the other hand is characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Individuals with ADHD might struggle to focus on tasks, organise activities, or follow through on instructions. However, they often exhibit high levels of creativity and spontaneity and can hyper-focus on interests, excelling in areas they are passionate about. Dyslexia primarily affects reading and language processing, making decoding words, spelling, or writing challenging. Despite these difficulties, people with Dyslexia often have strong problem-solving skills, think in pictures rather than words, and excel in fields that do not heavily rely on traditional reading and writing, such as art, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Want to find out if you are? Below are available test links to help you access and self-diagnose, or you can seek the help of a therapist or psychiatrist.
Both ADHD and Dyslexia are lifelong conditions, but they do not define our individual potentials. With the proper support, such as specialized teaching strategies, tools, and accommodations, neurodivergent individuals can thrive in various environments. Embracing Neurodiversity enriches society by valuing the unique strengths and perspectives that each person brings to the table.
Most neurodivergent people struggle because the systems and processes available (especially in schools and workspaces) do not allow them to show off their strengths, create new or more manageable challenges. People who are neurodivergent have a different way of thinking and processing information; it is just the way our brain is wired which has its pros and cons.
Examples and symptoms of Dyslexia:
- Social anxiety
- Speech and language challenges such as stuttering and repetition
- Learning challenges such as spelling and pronunciation
- Unusual responses to sensory input
- Unusual physical behaviours
- Inflexibility
- Reaction to noisy environments
- Sensitivity
Strengths:
Now that we have established a few symptoms of Dyslexia and understand that the brain of a dyslexic person processes information differently than people who don’t (neurotypical). Seen in difficulty with accurate and automatic word recognition, spelling, and decoding or breaking down words, which is what makes learning somewhat challenging, but here are the upsides to it:
- They are highly intuitive
- They are very aware of their environment
- They have great people skills
- They have stellar Visualization and problem-solving skills
- They also tend to be global thinkers and think outside the box easily
- Highly creative individuals and Observant of their environment
- They often possess high levels of empathy and make good/genuine connections
- They also have strong narrative reasoning skills
Weaknesses or challenges
Although it is best to focus on the strengths, it is equally important to acknowledge the weaknesses to prepare and manage them accurately. Here are the weaknesses or challenges that most dyslexic persons struggle with:
- Struggle with social communication and interactions
- Difficulty with phonological awareness (ability to construct sounds)
- Short-term memory problems
- Lack of ability to accurately and automatically retrieve information on letters from long-term memory
- Frustrations with learning math or reading comprehension
- Poor attention and concentration (can be easily distracted)
- Struggling with time management
Neurodivergence, specifically conditions like Dyslexia and ADHD, is not a limitation but a different way of thinking that holds incredible potential. Dyslexia fosters creativity, problem-solving, and out-of-the-box thinking, while ADHD brings dynamic energy, adaptability, and the ability to hyper-focus on what truly matters, making their flexibility and capabilities unmatched nor limited. They are not deficiencies — they are unique strengths that can fuel innovation and resilience. Think of the most unique, different and dynamic people in your life, they are probably Neurodivergent. By embracing and supporting neurodivergent individuals, we unlock a richer, more inclusive world where diverse minds create extraordinary possibilities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, and neurodivergent minds are invaluable in shaping a brighter future.
Up next we shall take a deep dive into the suitable jobs for ADHD & dyslexic people, strategies, and coping training that will help one be more efficient in both personal life and work relationships, check out my next blog and follow for more insightful and interesting takes on LAWKIT — Life as we know it.
Test for Neurodivergence:
There are quizzes Dyslexia — adhdnow.com that are available to check if you are Neurodivergent, although a health professional can diagnose the condition through a thorough test and analysis. Some people have been self-diagnosed using the articles and information available on the internet to check their diagnosis.
