What Exactly is Neurodiversity?
Summary
TLDRThis video script explores the concept of neurodiversity, emphasizing its value and advocating for acceptance of neurological differences like autism and ADHD. The speaker clarifies misconceptions, asserting that neurodiversity is both a natural variation and a potential disability, requiring support rather than cure. The script also highlights the importance of accommodating neurodiverse individuals for a better quality of life, and promotes Wondrium as a resource for learning and personal growth.
Takeaways
- 🧠 Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in the human brain that leads to differences in thinking and behavior.
- 📚 The term 'neurodiversity' was first coined by sociologist Judy Singer in the 1990s, emphasizing the acceptance of neurological differences like autism.
- 🌈 Neurodiversity encompasses a range of conditions including ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and Tourettes, alongside neurotypical and autistic individuals.
- 🔄 The neurodiversity movement advocates for the acceptance of the autism spectrum as a natural variation, not a disease to be cured, and is historically led by autistic self-advocates.
- 💡 Neurodiversity is valuable because it brings diverse perspectives, skill sets, and problem-solving abilities to society.
- 🏠 The challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals are often due to the social and physical environments rather than inherent brain differences.
- 👓 A satirical blog post about 'Neurotypicality' highlights the absurdity of viewing any neurological type as superior or normative.
- 🤔 Critics misunderstand the neurodiversity movement, thinking it implies no support is needed for autistic people, but advocates actually call for both acceptance and appropriate support.
- 💊 The speaker, an ADHD advocate, uses therapy and medication while also promoting acceptance and accommodation of neurodiversity.
- 📚 Wondrium, formerly The Great Courses Plus, is a learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, including creative non-fiction writing, which the speaker is using to write a book.
- 🎥 Wondrium's courses are accessible on various devices, making learning convenient and adaptable to different learning styles, including those of neurodivergent individuals.
Q & A
What does the term 'neurodiversity' mean?
-Neurodiversity refers to the concept that there is a natural variation in the human brain, leading to differences in how individuals think and behave. It is short for 'Neurological Diversity'.
Who coined the term 'neurodiversity' and in what context?
-The term 'neurodiversity' was first coined in the 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer, who argued that neurological differences such as autism are just that: differences, not diseases that need to be cured.
How does neurodiversity relate to other forms of diversity like ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation?
-Neurodiversity exists in the same way that diversity exists in ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, acknowledging that there are natural variations among individuals that contribute to a diverse society.
What are some examples of neurological differences mentioned in the script?
-Examples of neurological differences mentioned include ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, Tourettes, neurotypical brains, and autism.
Why is it important to recognize and accept neurodiversity?
-Recognizing and accepting neurodiversity is important because it acknowledges the unique strengths and weaknesses of different brains, promotes a more inclusive society, and helps to reduce the stigma associated with neurological differences.
What is the neurodiversity movement and who has historically led it?
-The neurodiversity movement is a social movement historically led by autistic self-advocates and other neurodivergent activists, advocating for the acceptance of the autism spectrum as a natural variation in the human brain rather than a disease.
What are the key assumptions within the neurodiversity paradigm?
-The key assumptions within the neurodiversity paradigm are: 1) Neurodiversity exists and different brains have distinct strengths and weaknesses; 2) Neurodiversity is valuable as it allows for diverse perspectives and skill sets; 3) The challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals are often due to social and physical environments rather than inherent brain differences.
How does the neurodiversity movement view the relationship between neurodiversity and disability?
-The neurodiversity movement views autism and similar conditions as both natural variations and disabilities, advocating for acceptance and respect for neurodivergent individuals while also fighting for appropriate support and services.
What is the role of Wondrium in the context of this script?
-Wondrium, a rebrand of The Great Courses Plus, is mentioned as a platform where the script's speaker is taking a course to learn how to write a book, highlighting its use for in-depth learning and personal development.
How does the script suggest accommodating neurodiversity in learning environments?
-The script suggests creating social and physical environments that account for and accommodate neurodiversity, such as offering courses like the one on Wondrium that allow for personalized learning speeds and styles.
What is the speaker's personal stance on neurodiversity and support for challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals?
-The speaker, as a neurodiversity advocate with ADHD, works towards a world that recognizes and appreciates neurodiversity while also seeking appropriate support and medical treatment, viewing acceptance and support as complementary goals for a better quality of life.
Outlines
🧠 Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Movement
The video script introduces the concept of neurodiversity as a natural variation in the human brain, leading to differences in thinking and behavior. It explains that the term originated in the 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer, emphasizing the acceptance of neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more, as part of the spectrum of human diversity. The script discusses the neurodiversity movement, led by autistic self-advocates and activists, which promotes the acceptance of the autism spectrum as a natural variation rather than a disease. Key assumptions of the neurodiversity paradigm are highlighted, including the existence and value of neurodiversity, and the idea that challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals are often due to social and environmental factors rather than inherent brain differences. The script also addresses misconceptions about the movement, clarifying that advocating for neurodiversity does not mean rejecting support or medical treatment but rather calls for creating environments that accommodate different neurological needs.
📚 Embracing Neurodiversity and Supporting Educational Resources
The second paragraph of the script focuses on the personal journey of the speaker in embracing neurodiversity and their advocacy for creating supportive environments. It discusses the speaker's experience with ADHD and how they navigate challenges through a combination of acceptance and appropriate support. The script then transitions into a promotional segment for Wondrium, a learning platform that offers a wide range of courses, including creative non-fiction writing, which the speaker is using to write a book. The benefits of Wondrium for neurodivergent individuals are highlighted, such as the ability to learn at one's own pace with features like subtitles and the option to rewind or pause. The script concludes with an invitation for viewers to try Wondrium with a free trial and acknowledges the support from the community, emphasizing the importance of advocating for neurodiversity and appreciating the unique strengths and challenges of each individual.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Neurodiversity
💡Judy Singer
💡Neurological Diversity
💡Neurodivergent
💡Neurotypical
💡Neurominorities
💡Mental Health Equivalent of Malware
💡Neurodivergent Challenges
💡Neurodiversity Movement
💡Neurotypicality
💡Wondrium
Highlights
Neurodiversity is the concept that there is natural variation in the human brain, leading to differences in thinking and behavior.
The term 'neurodiversity' was coined in the 1990s by sociologist Judy Singer, emphasizing the acceptance of neurological differences like autism.
Neurodiversity encompasses a range of conditions including ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and Tourettes, alongside neurotypicals and autistic individuals.
The neurodiversity movement advocates for the acceptance of the autism spectrum as a natural variation, not a disease to be cured.
Neurodiversity is valuable as it allows for diverse perspectives and skill sets, contributing to a richer collective capability.
Challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals are often due to social and physical environments rather than inherent brain differences.
The satirical blog post about 'Neurotypicality' highlights the oddities and challenges a neurotypical brain would face in an autistic world.
The speaker uses the example of near-sightedness to illustrate how societal accommodations can mitigate the disabling effects of certain conditions.
Critics of the neurodiversity movement misunderstand it, often assuming it implies that neurodivergent individuals do not need support.
Neurodiversity advocates campaign for both acceptance and appropriate support for autistic individuals.
The speaker, an ADHD advocate, argues that acceptance and support are not mutually exclusive but both contribute to a better quality of life.
Wondrium, formerly The Great Courses Plus, offers a wide range of in-depth courses for curious minds, including writing creative non-fiction.
Wondrium's courses are taught by experienced professors and can be watched at various speeds with subtitles, catering to different learning styles.
The speaker finds Wondrium particularly useful for neurodivergent learners due to its flexibility and adaptability to individual learning needs.
Wondrium is offering a free trial and supports the How to ADHD channel, encouraging viewers to try it out for their learning needs.
Resources for learning more about neurodiversity are provided in the video description, promoting further understanding and advocacy.
The speaker thanks the Brain Advocates and Patreon Brains for fostering a supportive neurodiverse community that appreciates each other's challenges and strengths.
Transcripts
This episode about neurodiversity is sponsored by Wondrium
Stick around to the end of the video to learn more about it.
Hello Brains!
I talk about neurodiversity a lot on this channel
and panels, and talks.
But what exactly does neurodiversity mean?
♪ [Intro music] ♪
Neurodiversity, noun, is the concept that
there is natural variation in the human brain
that leads to differences in how we think and behave.
It's short for: Neurological Diversity.
Neurodiversity!
The term was first coined in the 1990's
by a sociologist named Judy Singer
who argues that neurological differences,
like autism, are just that: neurological differences.
In other words: different brains work differently.
Neurodiversity exists just like diversity exists
in ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.
Those of us with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia,
dysgraphia, tourettes, those who are neurotypical
and those who are autistic.
All have brains that are hardwired to work and learn differently.
And even brains within each group are wired differently
and have a spectrum of abilities.
And while we can sometimes learn to mask those differences,
those differences are still going to exists.
And trying to pretend they don't
or being told that they shouldn't,
often comes at a high cost to our sense of self
and our mental and physical wellbeing.
Often putting our brains' operating system at higher risk
for the mental health equivalent of malware
such as anxiety or depression.
Which is why the neurodiversity movement exists.
The neurodiversity movement is a social movement
historically led by autistic self-advocates and other neurodivergent activists,
advocating for the acceptance of the autism spectrum
as reflecting natural variations in the human brain
rather than a disease that needs to be cured.
This movement has grown within the autism community
as well as to other neurodivergent folks.
Hi! I have ADHD.
While neurodiversity advocates might disagree on some things
and I obviously can't speak for everyone,
there are a few key assumptions within the neurodiversity paradigm.
1. Neurodiversity exists.
Different brains work differently and have distinct strengths and weaknesses.
2. Neurodiversity is valuable.
Differences in how our brains work,
allow us to come at thing from different perspectives,
have vastly different skill sets
and accomplish more than we could if everyone's brain worked the same way.
3. The potentially disabling challenges that
those of us who are neurodivergent face
aren't necessarily inherent to our brains' differences
but often a result of the social and physical environments
neurominorities exist within.
Which is highlighted perfectly in a blog post
about the concerning condition called Neurotypicality,
written from an autistic perspective.
The blog, which is satire, presents a world
in which neurotypical brains are the neurominorities
and discusses how odd those brains would seem
and the challenges they would face in an autistic world.
A personal example: I'm very near-sighted.
If I didn't live in a society that provided glasses and contacts,
I would be disabled.
The neurodiversity movement is a bit controversial
in that it upends some of how we thought about these things for a really long time.
But most of the criticisms of the neurodiversity movement
seem to come from misunderstandings of what it actually is.
A lot of critics of the neurodiversity movement argue that
viewing autism as just a natural variation implies that
autistic people don't need any support,
but in response to this criticism, one autism researcher and advocate explains it well.
"Neurodiversity advocates generally consider autism
to be both a natural variation and a disability.
Advocates therefore concurrently campaign
for acceptance and respect for autistic people
as valuable members of society and also
fight for appropriate support and services to
meet the needs of the autistic community."
And the same is true of most ADHD advocates.
We recognize that life is hard for us
and there are times where it would be easier to not have ADHD.
But a lot of what we struggle with is because of
environmental and social factors
and can be mitigated through creating social and physical environments that
account for, and accommodate neurodiversity.
That doesn't mean that we reject medical treatment.
As a neurodiversity advocate with ADHD, I'm working toward a world that
recognizes, appreciates and accommodates neurodiversity.
I also have a therapist and take meds.
Acceptance of my brains differences and support for the challenges they face
are not mutually exclusive.
In fact, they both work towards the same goal.
A better quality of life.
As I've mentioned a couple of times on this channel,
I'm writing a book this year.
Which I have never done before and so,
I started taking a course on Wondrium
to learn how to do it.
Wondrium is the rebrand of The Great Courses Plus
and it's designed for curious Brains.
Whenever I want to learn something in-depth, I check there first.
Because they have a ton of courses
and anything I want to watch is included in my subscription.
How-to's, tutorials, documentaries.
Wondrium is where you can find the answer to
pretty much everything you've ever wondered about.
And they're constantly adding new stuff.
I've been taking this one, specific to writing creative non-fiction,
which is what my book is going to be.
Part memoir, part how-to.
I've already learned a lot of stuff that has saved me time
and made my writing better.
The info in the courses often blows my mind
but the latest thing I'm kind of obsessed with is
I found out I can watch it on my Apple TV, which is hooked up to my new projector.
So now it feels like I'm actually in the classroom
which is supercool. Life-size professors.
If you don't have a projector, don't worry
you can also watch it on your phone, tablet, computer in an actual classroom.
Probably don't do that...
It would probably make your actual teacher sad.
Wondrium is such a convenient way to take a course
because they're taught by experienced professors
but since it's streaming, you can watch it on faster speeds with subtitles,
do the exercises that are relevant to what you're trying to learn,
pause it when you get ideas, which keeps happening during my book,
and rewind it, when you get distracted, which is how I learn best.
Which is great for neurodivergent brains.
Wondrium is offering a free trial right now
and they're regular supporters of How to ADHD
so by supporting them, you're also supporting us.
If you'd like to try it out, go to wondrium.com/howtoadhd
or click on the link in the description below to start your free trial today.
If you'd like to learn more about neurodiversity,
I've linked to some resources in the description below.
In the meantime, if you're neurodivergent, neurodiverse, a neurominority, whatever term you prefer,
know that advocating for your own neurodifferences,
and appreciating the neurodiversity that exists in this world,
paves the way for others to do the same.
Thank you to my Brain Advocates, and all my Patreon Brains
for facilitating this incredible neurodiverse community
where we can appreciate each others challenges and strengths.
Like, Subscribe, click all the things
and I'll see you next video.
Bye Brains!
♪ [Outro Music] ♪
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