Diagnosis And Treatment Series
A series of stories on the journey toward diagnosis and treatment
What is Neurodiversity?
When I refer to diagnosis in relation to neurodiversity, I refer to identifying one’s neurotype, not necessarily diagnosing a disorder or illness of the brain.
The concept of neurodiversity usually refers to perceived variations seen in cognitive, affectual, and sensory functioning differing from the majority of the general population or ‘predominant neurotype’, more usually known as the ‘neurotypical’ population.” — H. B. Rosqvist
There are two primary models of neurodiversity, but its meaning will differ slightly for each individual who identifies as being neurodivergent, based on how they perceive themselves and what framework works best for them.
The ecological model, previously described by Harvey Blume (1998), reframes neurocognitive diversity as a normal and healthy manifestation of biodiversity.
The neurodiversity paradigm focuses on depathologizing and instead politicizing neurodivergence. To pathologize neurodiversity is to diagnose a normal variation as disordered, based on the assumption that it ‘should’ cause disease.
