Platforms for Neurodivergences

What is a neurodivergence?

Brain variations are called neurodivergences - they are categories included under the term neurodiversity.

Current Neurodivergence "ND" Platforms

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Understanding Brain Variations

Name that brain variation...

Neurodiversity includes neurodivergences, variations in brain function/structure (sometimes called neurotypes).

Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety) involve neurotransmitter imbalances and can fluctuate with stress or treatment; they can resolve or recur with therapy/medication.

Neurodivergent conditions (e.g., autism, ADHD) are neurodevelopmental: lifelong, structural differences that may evolve with age or support.

Key distinction: mental health issues can change; neurodivergent traits are persistent and require environmental adaptations rather than “fixing” the person.

Aims: reduce stigma, increase transparency, and create inclusive environments (schools, workplaces, communities) that accommodate diverse neurological profiles.

Note: Mental health diagnoses and neurodivergent conditions are related but distinct; both benefit from open discussion and appropriate supports.

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Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that affect the development of the nervous system, leading to difficulties in learning, behavior, and functioning. These disorders typically manifest early in development, often before a child enters grade school, and can impact various domains, including cognitive, social, and emotional skills.

How does a neurodevelopmental disorder manifest as symptoms?

They primarily affect brain function and neurological development. Not all of the symptoms listed are required for a diagnosis—individuals may experience different combinations of these traits:

Attention (e.g., ADHD)
Social communication (e.g., autism)
Learning (e.g., dyslexia, dyscalculia)
Cognitive abilities (e.g., intellectual disability)
Motor skills (e.g., cerebral palsy)
Sensory processing (e.g., sensory impairments)

Individuals with these differences may experience difficulties in areas such as speech, memory, behavior, and daily functioning. While some symptoms may evolve over time, certain conditions persist lifelong. Important to note that many wish to refrain from the term disorder and consider "difference" to be a more neurodiverse-friendly speaking terms.

Diagnosis and
Options for Treatment

Diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders can be complex, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Treatment strategies may include:

Professional therapies (e.g., behavioral, speech, occupational)
Medication (where applicable)
Structured support programs (home, school, or workplace)

Early intervention and tailored support can improve outcomes, but ongoing care is often necessary for adults as well.

For more information on the DSM-5, visit the DSM-5 Manual.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association, outlining the agreed-upon diagnoses included in the manual. For more information on the DSM-5, you can visit: DSM-5 Manual.

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Important to Note about Terminology

Neurodivergence is an evolving concept, and while conditions like OCD and bipolar disorder are sometimes included due to shared cognitive traits, their classification within the neurodiversity movement remains debated—especially given their potential to be both disabling and distinctively patterned.

Examples of Neurodivergences

AuDHD (combined Autism and ADHD)
Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyspraxia
Hyperlexia
Misophonia
Synesthesia
Tourette Syndrome

Examples of Mental Health Diagnoses

These represent individual mental health diagnoses that can either exist as standalone conditions or be viewed as symptoms of the neurodivergences mentioned above; for some, they may also be considered neurodivergent in their own right: