Neurodiversity Is…

ADHD is, of course, thought of as disorganized thinking such that it has become synonymous with it. However, underlying that obvious effect is actually a far more intricate difference in how information is processed. Individuals with ADHD present with more variation than simply "distracted and disorganized" and carry the burden of a stigma from the neurotypical world.

Tourette's Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental difference most known for the presence of multiple, persistent tics. However, there are many other characteristics of Tourette's Syndrome that may affect a person's life more than the tics, and there are clear and measurable differences in how the Tourettic brain processes information and responds to the world around it.

Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) emerge at a wide range of ages and can vary. They may include the more well-known forms, such as trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling) and dermatillomania (compulsive skin-picking/smoothing) as well as variations on these, such as nail-biting, picking at cuticles, and plucking one's eyelashes or eyebrows. A primary challenge in BFRBs is the feeling of shame or embarrassment that arises from them, which also makes it harder to seek help. However, there are good methods for reducing the impact of BFRBs.

Specific Learning Disabilities occur when neurological development does not produce the interconnectivity within the brain that is usually used in learning of academic skills. As a result, we see learning disabilities in specific areas: Reading (Dyslexia), Writing (Dysgraphia), or Math (Dyscalculia). The specific form this takes varies between people, but it is characterized by unexpected difficulties in acquiring these skills despite receiving appropriate instruction and having the cognitive abilities to otherwise acquire skills.