What is neurodiversity and what does it mean? I shall share my understanding below
Most people accept that we are all slightly different and interact with the world slightly differently. Neurotypical are those who fall into the narrow range that might be considered “normal” or “average”. Neurodiverse are those that fall outside the “average range”. There may be many different reasons why someone falls outside the “average range” so neurodiverse is a catchall term for a myriad of different differences. One neurodivergent could be the polar opposite of another yet both are very different to the “average” or neurotypical.
Neurotypical people are capable in certain areas and less capable in others. Certain environments or situations may make them sensitive, others not so. As you move into the neurodiverse sphere these capabilities or lack of them, sensitivities or lack of them increase. This is where giftedness or genius lies. There is a price to pay for giftedness which is increased sensitivity. This is because the basic law of physics tells us you can’t have a benefit without a deficit otherwise equilibrium is lost.
Someone who lacks capability is likely to be very conscious of this and feel inadequate in the company of more capable people, unless their lack of capability is accepted, valued and respected. Someone who has extreme capability is also likely to be conscious of this and feel inadequate in the company of less capable people, unless their extreme capability is accepted, valued and respected. In my experience the lack of or extreme capability is not accepted, valued and respected in the wider world. It is kept at arms length, put down or used for the benefit of the neurotypical. Sensitivities are not catered for. The neurodiverse are expected to fit into the neurotypical world. If they do, the neurotypical describe them as high functioning. If they don’t the neurotypical describe them as having a disorder or disability when in actual fact the reverse is the case.
The attached graph plots emotional intelligence (the ability to relate to and understand people) and clinical intelligence (the ability to relate to and understand things). This shows how someone has the innate ability to integrate with the world.
My research tells me that there is a trend that shows the broader the emotional intelligence the narrower the clinical intelligence and vice versa. Being narrow or broad in both is less common. I have estimated that where I am on the spectrum, there are a fraction of 1% of the population which is why I find it difficult to fit in anywhere.
Having slightly broader emotional intelligence than most women, I tend to be more comfortable in the company of women when dealing with people. When dealing with things, I am not comfortable with anyone. When one can see things, processes and interactions being done in a harmful or inefficient way, anxiety levels rise to a point where it is too uncomfortable to be present. The neurotypical will see me as overreacting or being critical whilst I see them as under-reacting or being stupid. This is a nightmare scenario for everyone. It can only be resolved by understanding the different ways people interact with the world. I want to use my capability but am unable to do so because I am seen as a threat when in fact I could be a strong asset if people understood where I was coming from.
