How do I know if my child is Neurodivergent?

Speech and language challenges. Learning challenges that may be related to difficulties with focus, reading, calculation, ability to follow spoken language, and/or problems with executive functioning (important skills, including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control)

What qualifies as neurodivergent?

The term “neurodivergent” describes people whose brain differences affect how their brain works. That means they have different strengths and challenges from people whose brains don't have those differences. The possible differences include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions.

What is a neurodivergent child?

About 1 in 5-6 children have variations in their brain development. These variations include those seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and dyslexia. These children can be described as neurodivergent.

How do you get diagnosed for neurodivergent?

The best way to know if you or your child is neurodivergent is to talk to your doctor. They can refer you to another doctor or assess if you meet the criteria for neurodivergent conditions.

What is the most common neurodivergent disorder?

Among adults, dyslexia is the most common type of neurodivergent condition. Approximately 10% of adults are diagnosed with dyslexia. Around 4-5% of the population has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A further 1-2% of people has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

What Exactly is Neurodiversity?

Does neurodivergent include anxiety?

But the definition has since expanded to include other conditions in advocacy movements and social justice circles. “With this definition, anxiety can be considered a form of neurodivergence, although it may not be as commonly recognized as ADHD, autism, or trauma,” she says.

Can you self diagnose neurodivergent?

The vast majority of neurodivergent adults are self-diagnosed in the first instance: in other words, we figure things out for ourselves, do the research and then go looking for a professional to confirm it. Sometimes by that point we know more than the GP!

Is ADHD considered neurodivergent?

ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, and Dyslexia all fall within the spectrum of “Neurodiversity” and are all neurodiverse conditions. Neuro-differences are recognised and appreciated as a social category similar to differences in ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or ability.

Is neurodivergent a form of autism?

Neurodivergent is a non-medical umbrella term that describes people with variation in their mental functions, and can include conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other neurological or developmental conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How do you deal with neurodivergent kids?

Have a routine set. Having structure can help your neurodivergent child not experience as much stress in their day-to-day lives. Encourage your child in their strengths. Give them recognition where it is due in their strong points and make them feel good about areas where they may feel different from others.

Is my 6 year old neurodivergent?

What Does Neurodivergence Look Like in Young Children? If your child's learning, behavior, and development seem different from others their age, you might consider asking their pediatrician about an evaluation. Children who learn much more slowly or quickly than their peers might be neurodivergent.

What percentage of kids are neurodivergent?

Driven by both genetic and environmental factors, an estimated 15-20 percent of the world's population exhibits some form of neurodivergence. Neurodivergent conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)⁴ are overrepresented in STEM fields.

Can you be neurodivergent without having ADHD?

Besides ADHD, neurodiversity commonly refers to people with: Autism spectrum disorder. Dyslexia. Dyspraxia.

What are examples of neurodiversity?

ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Tourette's syndrome are all examples of neurodiverse conditions. They're diagnostic labels used to explain the diverse ways of thinking, learning, processing and behaving.

What does Stimming mean?

Stimming – or self-stimulatory behaviour – is repetitive or unusual body movement or noises. Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing.

What is ADHD Stimming?

Self-stimulatory behavior, often called “stimming,” is when a child or adult repeats specific movements or sounds as a way to self-soothe or remain engaged in a situation, often referred to as “fidget to focus.” Many people assume that only individuals with autism engage in self-stimulatory behaviors.

Is giftedness neurodivergent?

I want to emphasize that giftedness is one form of neurodiversity, and it is not exclusive. Many people have giftedness as one part of their neurodiversity experience, and they may also have other kinds of diagnoses, for example ADHD.

What is Hyperlexia?

Hyperlexia is advanced and unexpected reading skills and abilities in children way beyond their chronological age. It is a fairly recently named condition (1967) although earlier descriptions of precocious reading do exist.

How do I tell if I'm on the spectrum?

Is neurodivergent a mental disability?

Neurodivergence is not the same as disability or mental illness, but it can be associated with them. Accepting human neurodiversity is important so all people can live their best lives.

Is being bipolar neurodivergent?

Types of Neurodivergence

Some other conditions such as schizophrenia, OCD, anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorder, and bipolar disorder can be classed as a form of neurodivergence too.

Is neurodivergent caused by trauma?

Neurodivergence is the state of being neurodivergent and can be genetic and innate (such as autism) or produced by experiences (such as trauma).

Are neurodivergent smarter?

Many people who are neurodivergent have higher-than-average abilities—for example in pattern recognition, visual-spatial thinking, memory, or mathematics.

Are neurodivergent people sensitive?

High Sensitivity is therefore a form of neurodiversity as the brain is working differently from the expected norm. Just as with other forms of neurodiversity, people with High Sensitivity are more prone to stress as their systems can be overloaded with too much sensory input.