Quite literally, NO ONE is normal
Last night, during dinner, Cam told us about an in-depth discussion that he had with a peer at school about his disappointment in missing this year’s RIT Train Show. Apparently his classmate told him that it was amazing and Cam shared that we wanted to go but missed it. As I listened, my jaw dropped as he told me, unprompted, how he responded…
"I told him, “Oh man! Not me, we forgot to put it on the calendar.”"
This is the first time that has ever happened.
He is 13.
The conversation happened in the ONE classroom space that I know, for sure, he is able to thrive academically and socially. And that is because the teacher and team who support that classroom have wholeheartedly embraced neurodiversity affirming practices. It's intentional, not by accident.
THIS is why it is imperative that ALL school staff embrace these practices as well. For students who are neurodivergent, our public school environments often become the greatest obstacle to their academic and social development because they are putting so much effort into managing the daily bombardment of potential triggers to their neurology, they simply run out of bandwidth.
They are merely surviving. It’s no wonder they struggle.
THIS is one major difference between the experiences of a neurodivergent student and a neurotypical student.
Because in my daily experiences, I encounter dozens of instances where terminology is used incorrectly by well meaning individuals AND national and/or global organizations, here’s a brief primer regarding language, to help us move the needle forward, together:
We are ALL neurodiverse. Neurodiversity is a biological fact, just as biodiversity is.
Neurodiversity is defined as, "the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population."
We are NOT all neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent is defined as, “having a mind that functions in ways which diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.”
Neurodivergent and neurodiverse do NOT mean the same thing, and using the terms interchangeably actually hinders the progress that we need to take shape!
Neurodivergent neurotypes might include but are not limited to:
Autism spectrum disorder (this includes what was once known as Asperger’s syndrome)
Dyscalculia (difficulty with math)
Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing)
Dyslexia (difficulty with reading)
Dyspraxia (difficulty with coordination)
Intellectual disabilities
Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more
Sensory processing disorders
Social anxiety (a specific type of anxiety disorder)
Williams syndrome
(credit: clevelandclinic.org)
Personally, I prefer the term neurotypical over normal. In fact, I've put great effort into only discussing normal in terms of statistics, because it defines an average, or standard.
Quite literally, NO ONE is normal.
Neuronormative is defined as "the socially accepted and expected neurological and cognitive functioning patterns. It represents how individuals process information, communicate, and interact with the world."
The concept of neuronormativity is heavily steeped in privilege, as it tends to view anything outside of the “norm” as deviant or inferior.
The idea that neuronormativity is the baseline or goal is harmful, at best, as it perpetuates ignorance that prohibits us making progress.
“Neurotypicality is only problematic when situated as the only acceptable cognitive style. This is what neuronormativity means: framing neurotypical minds as “normal.”
(credit: Inclusion Can't Survive Neuronormativity)
Dr. Nick Walker shared the following, which I found to be essential to understanding how it all comes together:
The neurodiversity paradigm is a specific perspective on neurodiversity – a perspective or approach that boils down to these fundamental principles:
1.) Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of human diversity.
2.) The idea that there is one “normal” or “healthy” type of brain or mind, or one “right” style of neurocognitive functioning, is a culturally constructed fiction, no more valid (and no more conducive to a healthy society or to the overall well-being of humanity) than the idea that there is one “normal” or “right” ethnicity, gender, or culture.
3.) The social dynamics that manifest in regard to neurodiversity are similar to the social dynamics that manifest in regard to other forms of human diversity (e.g., diversity of ethnicity, gender, or culture). These dynamics include the dynamics of social power inequalities, and also the dynamics by which diversity, when embraced, acts as a source of creative potential.
The biggest understanding is that the neurodivergent community are asking you to move away from a medical, pathologizing paradigm and to embrace their neurotypes as a natural and valuable part of the beautiful fabric of humanity. It takes time, it takes understanding, and it takes a whole lot of ongoing learning because we’re all going to stumble and get it wrong. The point is in continuously trying to do better.
This shift has to start in our homes, and carry over into our schools, starting in the earliest grades.
Schools must truly accommodate neurodivergent students, rather than expecting them to exist within the environment as if they must earn their place there. Imagine what wondrous things might be shared by our neurodivergent young people in environments where they were allowed to thrive, rather than merely survive.
Neurodiversity-Centered Education
For a deeper dive, I invite you to explore any of the following educational resources…
If you know of others that should be added please let me know!
Online:
The Autistic Advocate - Kieran Rose
Autism Personal Coach (Particularly helpful to analyze neurodiversity-affirming practices within the workplace)
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Blog of the APA: Understanding Neurodiversity, Unlearning Neuronormativity
The Neurodiversity Podcast
NeuroWild - Autistic and ADHD speech pathologist, illustrator, advocate
Nick Walker, PhD: Neurodiversity: Some basic terms and definitions
Pete Wharmby- Autistic Author
Neurodiversity 101 - Prof. Amanda Kirby
Pete Wharmby- Autistic Author
Reframing Autism
Sarah Dwan - Life Through My Lens
Books:
A Different Kind of Normal: My Real-Life COMPLETELY True Story About Being Unique (Amazing for young girls!)
Different, Not Less: A neurodivergent's guide to embracing your true self and finding your happily ever after
Divergent Mind
Neurotribes
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
UnTypical
We’re All Neurodiverse
What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic: Unpuzzling a Life on the Autism Spectrum
