Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for many different neurological conditions, all with different symptoms and behavioural effects. The only commonality is that a neurodivergent person will process information in a different way to what is considered ‘neurotypical’.
It is important to note that each individual’s experience of their condition is different, and there are no set symptoms or behaviours for any one condition. Individuals might also have several different neurodivergent conditions, experiencing a few symptoms of each. These symptoms can affect people of all ages and genders indiscriminately. Some late-diagnosis individuals have developed extremely effective coping mechanisms that may have masked their conditions in childhood.
Some examples of neurodivergent conditions are:
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- ADHD, including inattentive ADHD
- Visual Processing Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
It depends. It is important to note that while some neurodivergent individuals do consider themselves to be disabled, many others do not consider themselves to have a disability in line with the definition set out in Section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. Within the legislation there is also a distinction between having an ‘impairment’ and having a ‘disability’.