It’s an Effort – ROUGH DRAFT

Research Question: How can we get society to understand Neurodiversity?

People do everyday things such waking up in the morning, brushing teeth, getting dressed, and overall being productive. These things are a necessity as if this is a routine to follow. What makes Neurodivergent people “different?”  It’s not different, because autistic individuals need to follow a routine that way it is reinforced everyday for the well-being and stability of themselves, and they can handle other changes too. “Neurodivergent” is an umbrella term that encases many mental or neurological function from what is considered normal or typical. This term has been broad and many people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Dyslexia, or other neurodevelopment disorders equip medical attention to “cure” or “fix” them. However, promoting support systems not only increases those with these types of disorders morale. but makes the environment a Neurodivergent person is in more inclusive which’ll get society to understand and strip away the social construct that Neurodivergent  people are “abnormal.”

Source: Team, The Understood. “Neurodiversity: What You Need to Know.” Understood, Understood, 23 Feb. 2021, www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on-strengths/neurodiversity-what-you-need-to-know.

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The article is telling us about Neurodiversity as a whole. At the beginning we see some points on Neurodiversity from a “viewpoint.” As we scroll down we are met with an introduction and definition on Neurodiversity. Some conditions like ADHD and autism are not “abnormal” but differences in the brain which people often misconstrue. There are kids with learning and thinking differences, so this concept can benefit the. This can help kids frame their challenges as differences and not be thought of as deficits. Neurodiversity is based around science and brain study that kids with learning and thinking differences apart from their peers, those differences appear based on how the brain is “wired.” The view on Neurodiversity should be that brain differences are normal. Judy Singer came up with the term “Neurodiversity” in the late 1990s despite being on the spectrum of autism refuted that people with autism are disabled. Activists in the autism community were embraced by this term, and since then advocates have been fighting the stigma and promote inclusions in schools and workplaces. To rid the thought that something is “wrong” with people who are Neurodiverse, communities should engage with those people for not be stigmatic. By doing this communities are building up those with Neurodiverse conditions confidence, self-esteem, and motivation.

Quotes:

“It also supports teaching approaches that can benefit kids with learning and thinking differences. UDL, for instance, shares many of the principles of Neurodiversity.”

“UDL recognizes that there’s a wide range of students with a wide range of abilities. It uses a variety of teaching strategies to remove barriers to learning. The goal is to give all students, of all abilities, equal opportunities to succeed.”

Source: “Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact on Disability Perceptions.” All Belong, 26 Aug. 2015, allbelong.org/understanding-neurodiversity-and-its-impact-on-disability-perceptions/.

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The article makes it very clear that their mission is to understand Neurodiversity and how the impact on how disabilities are perceived. The term itself has been coined since the late 1990’s and from the previous article we know that, “differences in the way brains developed and functioned were referred to generally as neurological differences.  These differences implied uniquely occurring events that were often associated with disabilities.” This quote actively demonstrates that neurological differences were set to development always being wrong and not described as differences that are partly typical variations of development in people. Society has expectations of people with how they act and what they do, but expectations can change over time too. “For example, because many societies rely heavily on reading and writing in order to work or conduct commerce, reading has become an essential ability and skill. Two hundred years ago, reading and writing were not as necessary in so-called developed countries and cultures. Of course, reading and writing open up the world of intellectual growth and exchange to people who can read and write, but two hundred years ago reading was not the not critical medium it is today.” Back in “traditional times” that statement was true, but now things are different in the “modern age” because technology plays a huge role in school and work environment. To communicate with individuals there’s a phone at their hand or sending an E-Mail through a computer because it is doubtful that people nowadays write letters. Speaking of traditional to modern times it was very true that reading and writing are essential for school and jobs, but there are people who just can’t do that and that shouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of because in school there are teachers to help the student out by using different method, so the student can understand what is going on and the same thing applies in the work environment.

Quotes:

“On the other hand, recognizing that the label of ASD does not define an individual opens us to consider the person’s strengths that are often ignored in the face of the labeled disability. Surely life can be very difficult for many who live with differences associated with a labeled disability.”

“Life can be better, however, when we recognize all people as gifted, albeit in unique ways, and that some live with uniquely challenging differences.”

Source: Psych2GoTv, director. 5 Interesting Facts About ADHD. YouTube, YouTube, 11 Nov. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW6e50NYlWE.

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Psych2Go is a YouTube channel and their mission is to educate viewers on psychology that would benefit us. They want what is best for the viewer, but not resort to self-diagnosing themselves based on what is said in the video. If the viewer is experiencing symptoms on what is said in the video, Psych2Go believes that the viewer should speak to a medical professional on possible clinical diagnostics and next steps. The narrator says, “Instead of losing our patience with them, it’s best to approach them in ways that we can help them grow and feel understood.” This quotation is acting as a base, the root of the video altogether. By telling me that folks who “suffer”with this mental disorder makes people inpatient with them will make the person who has Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder feel worse about themselves and that’s something you don’t want to do. People who have ADHD don’t want to be declined by anyone. Already they feel like a burden to their family, friends, and peers. It’s important for everyone to be equal because we all fight for equality in society, so why are people with ADHD or other mental disorders unintentionally considered less? The root of my research question is getting society to realize that people who are Neurodiversity can still be in the workforce, can go to school, can do things a “normal” person can, etc.

Quotes:

“Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a mental disorder that affects the individual’s ability to focus. Even adults can show signs of ADHD.”

“We will dive into the symptoms and signs of ADHD, which affects roughly 8% of children and 2% of adults, according to the American Psychiatric Association (What Is ADHD?, 2018).”