What is neurodiversity?

When your child receives a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or another diagnosis in this spectrum of “developmental disorders” it can be a confusing and overwhelming time.

Maybe, you were searching for these answers for what felt like years. Or maybe it came out of nowhere, blindsiding you. Either way, chances are the next step involved a rabbit hole of information, opinions and paperwork, where you discover a range of terms and labels to identify your child. It’s overwhelming and you’re not sure what to think. But, one thing you do know is that you have an amazing child.

You are not alone.

There are so many families out there in the same position as you. And there is support.

On this blog you’ll find various resources to help navigate this world you’ve found yourself in. In this blog post I’ll be breaking down some of the terms, explain what ‘neurodiversity’ means and why it’s so important.

The Medical Model

During the diagnosis process professionals use tests and screening tools designed to identify whether the child meets certain requirements to be given a diagnosis. In Australia, these diagnoses are based on the DSM-V*** (a diagnostic manual). Essentially, this process means that several medical professionals evaluate the ‘problems’ or ‘deficits’ of your child. This perspective is referred to as the medical model.

That can sound and fell pretty harsh. And many oppose this model all together. It does however have its place. It helps to identify struggle points. It also gives space for people to say “something isn’t okay”. And, a diagnosis also allows for people’s challenges to be acknowledged so accomodations to be made. For many, it’s enlightening.

However, the medical model also has its downsides. When the medical framework continues to drive the support a person receives it can begin to feel disheartening and the person with the diagnosis can develop a belief that something is inherently wrong with them, affecting their self-esteem. When that person is your child, it’s heartbreaking to see this develop.

The Social Model

The social model of disability began to emerge in the 1960’s as an alternative way to view people with a disability. It identifies barriers and ableism that prevents those with a disability living a few life. It states that the dis-ability is created from a society that was not built, or designed for the disabled person in mind, Here’s a real life example:

I was a fundraising gala once to raise money for a rare genetic condition called Friedreich's Ataxia, put on by an amazing organisation call FARA. During this beautiful event, in which many people affected by FA were present there the fire alarms went off and we were evacuated- for the top floor. As per usual, the lifts shut off and we were instructed to use the stairs. But this left several wheelchair bound people unable to exit from this emergency situation. Whilst those without FA thought it was ‘inconvenient’, those with FA found the situation scary, all because the building, like most others, was designed for people no disability.

The social model acknowledges this and looks at what a person needs, as opposed to what’s wrong with the person. By doing this, people can feel a sense of equality.

The Neurodiversity Movement

The neurodiversity movement stems from the social model, and aims to reframe the way we look at “developmental disorders”. Neurodiversity is the view that people have a range of differences in brain functioning and processing. There is nothing ‘wrong’ with neurodiverse people, therefore there is no need for a ‘cure’.

From this perspective we can break humans up into two major categories: neurotypical people (those who fit into the spectrum of what is seen as ‘normal’) and neurodiverse (those who’s brain operating fits outside of what is considered ‘normal’).

Like the social model, the neurodiversity movement acknowledges that a big part of the dis-ability felt by a neurodiverse person is due to our environment being build predominantly by and for neurotypical people. The lighting in commercial spaces is a great example of this. For neurotypical people, fluorescent lighting is an efficient and effective lighting choice. For anyone with a sensitive sensory system, this lighting hurts the eyes and the ears (yes, many can hear the vibration of these lights).

By taking on this perspective we begin to support people in a strengths-based manner.

What’s the difference?

As a counsellor working with neurodiverse kids I regularly see the impact that the medical model has on our kids. When a child is given the message that they need to change in order to fit into the world and make everyone else feel more comfortable, the begin to believe that they are a problem, a burden or just inherently wrong. This results in low self-esteem and often, anxiety.

Alternatively, if we approach a child from the neurodiversity perspective, we’re able to see the child as a whole person, and support them in meeting their needs, not society’s needs. This results in the child feeling a greater sense of belonging and more positive identity.

In the end, don’t we all just want our kids to be happy?

My hope is that this information has introduced you to the “big stuff”. In future blog posts I’ll be sharing tips on how we can support our from day to day to feel their best selves.

Rach, Wild Light

*** In April 2022 a new DSM version was released- the DSM-5-TR. Click here for more information.

References

Leadbitter, K., Buckle, K. L., Ellis, C., & Dekker, M. (2021, 2021-April-12). Autistic Self-Advocacy and the Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for Autism Early Intervention Research and Practice [Perspective]. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690 

Goering S. (2015). Rethinking disability: the social model of disability and chronic disease. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 8(2), 134–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-015-9273-z