Human Neurodiversity Should Be Celebrated, Not Treated as a Disorder | Op-Ed | NowThis

There's a type of diversity you might not know about; neurodiversity.
» Subscribe to NowThis: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe

One in 59 children are identified with autism spectrum disorders and millions of children have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. — yet psychologist Devon MacEachron, PhD believes that there is too little attention given to enabling people with neurologically different minds.

“Neurological differences like autism or ADHD are considered to be dysfunctional, disorders, and disabilities under the medical model of mental health,” she explained. “When most of us think of diversity, we think of things like race or sexual orientation. But there’s a different kind of diversity you might not know about: neurodiversity.”

Neurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences among people should be recognized and respected, and Dr. MacEachron thinks it’s time for this movement to take off.

“Neurodiversity is a part of our genetics and our evolution as a species,” she explained. “The genes for autism and ADHD are not errors, but rather the result of variations in the human genome that have and will continue to have advances for society.”

Dr. MacEachron’s vision is for a neurodiversity-tolerant and accepting society that celebrates people’s differences, rather than antagonizing them. Instead of changing to fit other people’s ideas of normal, children who are wired a bit differently should be encouraged to find their place in the world where they feel they fit.

Connect with NowThis
» Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook
» Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitter
» Follow us on Instagram: http://go.nowth.is/News_Instagram
» Find us on Snapchat Discover: http://go.nowth.is/News_Snapchat

NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.

http://www.youtube.com/nowthisnews
@nowthisnews

Neurological differences
like autism or ADHD

are considered to be dysfuncional,

disorders and disabilities under
the medical model of mental health.

There is too little attention
given to enabling people

with neurologically different minds
to be accepted for themeselves.

To discover and celebrate their strenghts.

And to find a place in society
that values their diffrences.

When most of us think of diversity

we think of things like race
or sexual orientation.

But there's a different kind of diversity
you might know about: neurodiversity.

Neurodiversity is the concept

that neurological differences among people
should be recognized and respected.

I believe it's time for
this new social movement,

the neurodiversity movement, to take off.

Neurodiversity is a part of our genetics

and of our evolution as a species.

The genes for autism
and ADHD are not errors,

but rather are the result of
variation in the human genome

that have and will continue
to have advantages for society.

One of the genes associeted with ADHD,

the DRD4 gene, is known as
the novelty seeking gene.

It arrieved on the human evolutionary
scene over 10,000 years ago.

Genes associeted with autism also
go back more than 10,000 years.

Research suggests that genetic
variants linked to autism

might have been positively
selected during human evolution

because they contributed to
exceptional memory skills,

heightened perception
in vision, taste, and smell,

a precise eye for detail,

and an enhanced understanding of
systems such as animal behavior.

These characteristics likely remain
in the gene pool today

because they are still advantageous.

As a psychologist, advising
the parents of differently wierd kids,

I tell parents they have a choice

between trying to change
the child to fit the environment

and changing the environment
to fit the child.

There are many different microhabitats

and "sub-cultures" in our world.

For an individual with autism or ADHD,

finding succes on their own terms

may come from discovering the
particular niche that fits best.

The niche that allows
their strenghts to shine

and their challenges to be minimized.

Individuals with ADHD tent to thrive
in situation of rapid change, variety,

and that reward creativity and
out-of-the-box thinking.

A career as a comedian,
detective, entrepreneur,

journalist, actor, EMT technician,
or photographer could be.

I'm not saying that having
autism or ADHD is easy.

And I don't mean to downplay the real
suffering that can be caused by having

a neurodevelopmental condition,
disability, or difference.

But it's also time the world sees
the beauty and value

in brain differences.

Neurodiversity might be every bit
as crucial for the human race

as biodiversity is for
the life in general.

My vision is for a neurodiversity-tolerant

and accepting society

where diffrences are celebrated
for the depth and dimension

they bring to the human condition.

I want children whose
brains are wired differently

to be encouraged to find their niche

instead of changing to fit
other people's ideas of normal.

Diversity in every sense
makes our world a better place,

and people who think differently
are a huge part of that.