三月 16, 2023
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Well, it’s a word you likely haven’t heard that often, at least not in an office setting. Neurodiversity is defined as “The range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population…,” which is a scientific way to say that roughly 15% to 20% of the world's population, according to the website of the National Cancer Institute (https://www.cancer.gov), experiences and interacts with the world around them in many different ways. There is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning or behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.
Hi, I’m Jennifer Bain and I’m neurodiverse. I’m also a public speaker, the owner of a theater company and best known as your orientation facilitator at onsemi. During Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 13-19), I’m here to change the narrative by telling you about the strengths, challenges and quirks of living a neurodiverse life. This week is a global initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodiverse individuals are perceived while helping to create a more inclusive and equitable culture.
I was diagnosed with two neurodiverse disabilities in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. I was 28 at the time and running myself headfirst into burnout, feeling out of place and alienated by everyone around me. It was like I spoke a different language, even though I thought I was doing everything right. When I finally received my diagnosis, it was the first time in my life that I felt truly seen, and I finally had the answers to the questions I had been searching for. Now, almost three years later, I’ve committed to both understanding myself more and helping educate others on what it means to be a neurodivergent person living in today’s world.
You may have heard that diagnoses of individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neuro minority conditions are on the rise. Many people don’t have an understanding beyond common stereotypes. There are many challenges around understanding these disabilities, and we must recognize our own biases and work to dismantle them by becoming inclusive and allowing neurodiverse individuals to tap into their potential.
It can help to think of neurodivergence as two different computer operating systems. Yes, you can run Microsoft software on an Apple MacBook, but that’s after adjustments are made so it can run on a different operating system. A neurodivergent person takes the data of the world and processes it in many different pathways. For example, I have a verbal processing disorder that is connected to my neurological disabilities. I physically process what I hear differently than others, which results in symptoms like those of someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The different pathways in our brains can also cause misunderstandings by filtering out social meanings or connotations.
With an estimated 15% to 20% of people living with neurodivergent conditions, you likely work alongside someone who is neurodiverse. Here are a few things to help you begin to understand what your colleague may be experiencing and why:
Neurodiversity is a part of the human experience. Different doesn’t mean wrong, and the community needs understanding. Neurodivergent people are creative, out-of-the-box thinkers and dreamers who can thrive when supported and understood by our companies. Expanding understanding helps all of us perform better. We strongly encourage you to get curious by diving into these resources and celebrating all the ways your colleagues process the world!