For the next series of posts, we’ll be diving deep into neurodiversity. I’ll be sharing personal experiences and insights from my own neurodivergent journey - touching on everything from childhood through leadership and beyond. But before we get into the more nuanced conversations, let’s take a step back to basics.
🐲 I’ve noticed that when I mention neurodiversity, I often assume everyone knows what I’m talking about, but that’s not always the case. Many people ask me, “What does that even mean?” And that’s a fair question! So, let’s start from the beginning.
In this first post, we’ll be breaking down the core terminology:
🔥 Neurodiversity: The concept that neurological differences, such as ADHD, autism, giftedness, and dyslexia, are natural variations of the human brain - just like biodiversity in nature. It’s the recognition that people are wired differently, and that’s a strength, not a flaw.
🔥 Neurodivergent: An individual whose brain functions in a way that diverges from the typical (or neurotypical) way of thinking, processing, or behaving. This includes those with ADHD, autism, giftedness, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more.
🔥 Neurodivergence: The state of having a neurodivergent brain. This can describe an individual or a group of people who exhibit different cognitive styles from the societal norm.
🔥 Neurotypical: A person whose neurological development and cognitive function are considered to be within the “typical” or “standard” range.
🔥 Slang and Current Terminology: As neurodiversity awareness has grown, so has the slang used by the community. Terms like “neurospicy” have emerged to describe neurodivergent individuals with a light-hearted, positive spin - emphasizing their unique traits as something “spicy” rather than a deficit. You might also hear people refer to themselves as “brainweird”, playing into the idea that being different is something to embrace rather than hide.
❤️🔥 Why does it matter?
Because embracing neurodiversity isn’t just about understanding differences - it’s about fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. And the numbers speak for themselves: approximately 15-20% of the global population is neurodivergent.
That’s nearly 1 in 5 people you encounter - whether at work, in schools, or within your community - who think, process, or perceive the world differently.
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Neurodivergent individuals are like dragons - each one has unique powers that can either be misunderstood or unleashed for greatness. When we learn to understand, respect, and value their gifts, the whole team can fly higher together.
We’ll start with defining these terms and why understanding them matters for creating more inclusive workplaces, teams, and leadership structures.
Because when we embrace neurodiversity, we don’t just benefit neurodivergent individuals - we create environments where innovation, creativity, and collaboration can flourish for everyone.
Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where we’ll dive deeper into the specific overlaps and differences between neurodivergent traits, and how these manifest across different life stages.
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Caveat: Neurodiversity exists on a spectrum, and no two experiences are the same. I am sharing my personal journey, but it’s important to remember that others may have different experiences. Additionally, my story is shaped not only by neurodiversity but also by childhood trauma, which can make it challenging to differentiate between the causes of certain symptoms. This is my truth, but it may not reflect the experience of others.
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