Do you and your child think differently? Let's talk about Neurodiversity!

Have you ever noticed that some people around us, perhaps our own child, a friend, or even ourselves, think and act a little differently than others? Sometimes we look at these differences as a flaw or a weakness. But are these really weaknesses? Or are they just natural differences in the way our brains work? That's the important concept we're talking about today. It's called Neurodiversity .

Who is a "neurodivergent" person?

Simply put, this is a beautiful idea. The term neurodiversity was first coined in the late 1990s by Judy Singer, a sociologist who had autism. She argued that some developmental disorders, such as ADHD and autism, are not actually diseases, but rather a natural variation in our brains. That is, not everyone's brain is the same. Some people's brains work a little differently. That difference gives them challenges, but also special strengths and abilities .

Think about it this way. Your child has difficulty paying attention (ADHD). He has trouble starting and finishing tasks on time. But when you ask him to create something new, draw a picture, or come up with a different solution to a problem, he's the smartest kid in the class. He's not afraid to say what's on his mind. That's the essence of this concept. Seeing the hidden strengths in what seem like weaknesses.

There are several main conditions that generally fall under the umbrella of Neurodiversity.

How does this situation affect school and education?

Whether it's a school or a university, not every student is the same. Each student has a different learning profile. Some students learn by listening. Others by writing. Some need to learn by doing. But our education system is often designed to suit the "average" child who thinks and acts in the same way.

Because of this, neurodivergent children who think differently often get lost. They are labeled as "unlearnable," "stupid," "lazy." But the concept of neurodiversity looks at all of these children in a different way. It's like a big net, it can catch all of these children.

Now, in many parts of the world, especially in universities, there is a tendency to use the term "Neurodiversity" instead of the term "disability." This means that we stop talking only about a child's shortcomings and focus on their overall abilities and differences . This includes children with a medically proven learning disability, as well as children who do not have such a disability but have some differences.

Is there room for neurodiversity in the workplace?

This is also a very important issue. A person with neurodivergent traits faces a big challenge when it comes to work. They often have to make a big effort to adapt to their work environment. For example, if the noise around them makes them lose focus, they have to find ways to control it. They have to constantly think about how they talk to others and how they behave.

This extra effort every day can have a significant impact on their mental and physical health over time, and can also reduce their efficiency at work.

However, if modern workplaces embrace the concept of Neuro DIV ersity, this situation can be completely changed. If leaders are aware of this, they can create a work environment that suits everyone.

Things you can do as a head of an institution

• Create jobs that suit people with different abilities: Create job opportunities that suit each person's strengths, rather than putting everyone in the same category.
• Provide a flexible work environment: Be flexible about working hours, where you work (such as working from home), and how you work.
• Create a work plan that welcomes everyone: Have an open and flexible policy about where, when, and how you work.

Let's look at strengths instead of weaknesses!

The main thing that the concept of neurodiversity implies is that, instead of focusing only on the weaknesses that come with conditions like ADHD and autism , we should look for their strengths and make room for them.

Even research has found facts about this.

• Although people with ADHD are often stubborn, they are also highly creative, courageous, and compassionate . They also have the amazing ability to hyper-focus on something they love for hours on end.
• People with autism have an amazing ability to pay attention to complex details . They have very high memory power . They make amazing contributions to fields such as computer programming and music. For example, the famous musician Mozart had an amazing musical memory and the ability to identify any note with absolute pitch.
• People with dyslexia have the ability to understand some visual information much better than the average person. This ability is very valuable in jobs like engineering and computer graphics design.

Scientists think that genes linked to these so-called "weaknesses" are passed down from generation to generation because they had an evolutionary advantage. For example, our ancestors may have been helped by their hyperactivity and recklessness to find food and escape danger.

What are the challenges surrounding this concept?

As good as this concept is, not everyone agrees with it. Some, especially those with severe conditions like autism and their families, strongly believe that this is not as simple as it seems, and that this is a truly life-threatening disability.

Also, the way people prefer to introduce themselves varies from person to person. Some people prefer to say "worker with autism." Others prefer to introduce themselves as "I am an autistic worker."

The other important thing is that even though neurodiversity is not a disability, because our society, schools, and workplaces have not yet adapted to these differences , these people are still at a disadvantage. Therefore, some people prefer to continue to maintain the identity of "disability" as an acknowledgement of that disadvantage.

All of this reminds us that we are still at the beginning of this journey. It is our responsibility to understand this beautiful diversity in the human brain and create a world where all of them can live with respect and support. If you have any questions or doubts about your child, or yourself, it is very important to talk to your doctor about it and get the right understanding and guidance.

Neurodiversity, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Mental Health, Brain Changes, Learning Disabilities