We’re all ‘Neurodiverse’

[LuminousCrystalFox]

I regularly see the term neurodiverse used when what the person is actually referring to is neurodivergent. Saying ‘I’m neurodiverse’ or ‘My DH is neurodiverse’, isn’t particularly meaningful. I see neurodiverse used on a lot of websites as well, as an umbrella term for many neurodivergent conditions, which doesn’t help either.

Neurodiversity is simply a concept which recognises the variety of ways human brains can function. It is akin to Biodiveristy.

Agreed. Saying "I'm neurodiverse or My child is neurodiverse" is the same as saying "I'm diverse or My child is diverse". It doesn't make sense. You cannot be 'neurodiverse' or 'diverse' by yourself. It takes different types to make up (neuro)diversity.

I've given up on correcting people as it seems to have taken hold and grown wings now.

On the other hand, I hate the word 'neurodivergent' and wish there's a better one. I stick to ND or specific diagnoses.

It just means that they have a condition like ADHD or Autism (or both). It's that simple.

Some people maybe don't want to say what the condition is. Why do you need to know?

This is a prime example of how it has been misunderstood. It doesn't mean that someone has ADHD or autism, however someone with ADHD or autism would be classed as neurodiverse. It's a very broad term that was coined to explain how ours brains work and interact with the world differently and to encourage inclusion by removing barriers for those who may interact with society differently to the majority. Nowadays people seem to use it as an alternative to saying that they have ADHD or autism but the term does not only refer to these conditions and is much broader than that.

Oh right, ok then??

I said a condition like.

I think saying neurodiverse is quite helpful, because we are, all of us, and it serves as a reminder of that. The more colloquial 'we're all wired differently' makes the same point, but some people take language that seems 'sciency' more seriously. It's a plea for tolerance.

But again, it's used where the person being told has no reason to know what that is. It's a good way to avoid a barrage of ignorant comments coming back.

Everyone seems to have to have a "thing", these days. So they pick a "thing" but forget to do their research before their self-diagnosis....
It's the new food allergy thing. Back in the day everyone was self-diagnosing as coeliac etc.
Also there are many adults now looking back at their childhood history and the way their life has panned out looking to get backdated diagnoses to explain themselves.

You're missing the point. The term is neurodivergent not neurodiverse. Neurodiverse doesn't mean the same thing.

I prefer to just tell people I’m autistic if they ask. They usually do because I dont look at people in the eye very well without masssive effort.

People needing to have a 'thing' is a reaction to rampant mangerialism that expects everyone to fit into a neat, tickable box unless they have some formal diagnosis.

As the OP says, we are neurodiverese. All of us. But the deranged expectation that everything about our lives should be tabulated and encoded has ended up exposing the fact that very few (if any) of us fit the approved pattern.

Neurodiverse = population characteristic (akin to a biodiverse ecosystem, as mentioned above)
Neurodivergent = individual characteristic (individual who diverges from the standard neurological status within a population)

I hope that the understanding lens of neurodivergence will prove a transitory concept. It's useful shorthand to raise awareness of the different experiences of people with ADHD, autism, etc, but it has its limitations. It can sometimes be misused as a shorthand for special, or for worse as abnormal. I hope that eventually we will become enlightened enough to recognise that we are all human beings, with autism and adhd etc being regarded as normal and not requiring constant explanation as to why some people are "different".

Neurodivergent is quite the mouthful though isn't it, neurodiverse is just easier and sounds better IMO, I don't really care if some people think it's wrong and meaningless because clearly the meaning has changed/evolved (as meanings do) otherwise so many people wouldn't know the new meaning and use it that way.

It has become an umbrella term for someone who has ASD. ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc or any combination of the above. I don't know why people are finding that so difficult to come to terms with or get so miffed about it?

Personally I don't use it at all when talking I just say autistic and dyspraxic but I often use ND when writing as it's quicker and easier.

If you like neurodivergent because it's grammatically correct then by all means use that - but why the obsession with policing other people's language? This isn't pedants corner.

This is such a disgusting comment. People don't grow out of neurodivergent conditions. Just because they've made it to adulthood doesn't mean that they find life easy, aren't struggling to keep everything together and don't deserve to understand themselves better and be given the opportunity to make adjustments that could make the world of difference to their everyday lives. What do you mean by 'explain themselves'?

If I had to, I'd say that the natural world is biodiverse and humanity is neurodiverse. It isn't that long ago that many people recoiled from the term 'biodiversity' as being too long and complicated, but it seems fairly generally accepted now and does make expressing ideas that go beyond 'nature study' easier.

I think people just prefer the term neuro diverse as sounds less negative than neurodivergent. Suspect they use correct term when speaking with medical professionals etc. but would rather describe their children to friends as neuro diverse. Think you are reading to much into it.

I presume they think it's the same thing due to lack of education or they're being dismissive or goady.

I mean yes, technically you’re right OP but language evolves all the time and takes on commonly understood meanings. So I think you might need to let this one go.
people generally understand what people mean when they say it. So it’s fine.

I suppose I could say 'all of us are neurodivergent'. I suspect that would result in some people insisting that they aren't.

That's because not everyone is.

why the obsession with policing other people's language? This isn't pedants corner.

Hmm going by that line of thinking, I could just as easily say to you, why the obsession with policing other people’s threads? This isn’t the thread police corner.

😉

ETA - I’m appreciating the different viewpoints shared, it broadens my thinking so thank you.

You are right that the term neurodiverse is often used incorrectly from a grammar point of view. There are however much bigger fish to fry, such as the blatant ignorance and prejudice around neurodiversity that is displayed all over this forum on a daily basis. I see it’s already arrived on this thread too.

I get it, using the right language means a lot to some people, myself included. In this case though, I think if it gets the message across let’s run with it and focus instead on some of the bigger issues.

I think people with autism/ADHD/other condition have enough difficulties to deal with in life without the self appointed language police of mumsnet pissing on them for the words they use to describe themselves.

That’s really quite extreme…I didn’t realise I was pissing on people 🤔 If you could kindly read my OP and show me where I was treating ND Mumsnetters in such a way? For a while I also used neurodiverse, until it was pointed out to me. I didn’t view that person as ‘pissing’ on me. They were right. It’s not something I feel is insulting, but I guess we all interpret things differently.

For the record, I am also ND (ASD) but I didn’t feel it was necessary to mention it. Perhaps it was.