The Neurodiversity Paradigm
Neurodivergent minds are not broken
The Neurodiversity Paradigm supports mental health and wellbeing for neurodivergent people.
A paradigm is basically a framework for understanding something. Autism and ADHD have long been understood using only the Pathology Paradigm. This paradigm views these neurotypes (a word that literally means brain type) as “disorders.” The Pathology Paradigm is the framework used in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to describe Autism and ADHD (this is the manual used most commonly in Canada to diagnose “psychological disorders”). The word “disorder” implies Autistic or ADHD brains are broken neurotypical brains that need to be fixed. The Pathology Paradigm is behind most of the mental health challenges that neurodivergent people experience as the stigma it creates makes neurodivergent people feel like they are broken.
The Neurodiversity Paradigm takes a different view of neurodivergence. It encourages us to look at the diversity of human brains as essential to humanity’s survival. Under the Neurodiversity Paradigm, neurodivergent people can challenge the stigma and the internalized ableism that the Pathology Paradigm creates, and learn to embrace their unique neurodivergent identity. Neurodivergent minds are not broken.
Want to learn more about the Neurodiversity Paradigm? Check out some of the other pages in this section for further reading.
All about societal barriers.
What (not) to say.
More than Autism and ADHD.
Communication is everyone’s responsibility.
