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This week from 15 to 23 March 2021 we celebrate neurodiversity and people with neurodivergent conditions. It’s estimated that around 1 in 7 of us are neurodivergent.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain processes information. Some people who are neurodivergent may experience learning differently, in that their brain does not function or process information in the way our society expects.
The term neurodiversity was coined in the 1990s in an attempt to move away from a rigidly medical view of learning differences and the belief that these should be ‘cured’. This week instead puts the focus on celebration and understanding of these differences, and acknowledging the benefits they can bring to society.
Examples of some neurodiverse conditions might be:
- Dyslexia: a learning difference which affects reading and writing skills, as well as organisational skills, and a person’s ability to process and retain information;
- Dyscalculia: a learning difference resulting in difficulty understanding numbers, sometimes with high mathematics anxiety;
- Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder or ADHD: this condition often results in restlessness, impulsive, erratic or inappropriate behaviour. If there is no hyperactivity, this is known as ADD and the person may be easily distracted and have trouble paying attention to details;
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: this is a developmental disorder that affects how a person communicated with and relates to the world around them. A person with ASD may demonstrate some unusual behaviours, due to inflexible thinking and behaviours and a misunderstanding of social cues and communication;
- Tourette’s Syndrome: this condition causes people to make involuntary sounds or movements, known as ‘tics’. These might include blinking, shrugging their shoulders, jerking of the limbs, or touching objects as well as verbal tics such as coughing or repeating specific words or phrases. Tics can become worse during periods of stress or anxiety for the person; and
- Dyspraxia: this is a disorder affecting fine or gross motor coordination, and is distinct from conditions such as cerebral palsy. These coordination difficulties may affect self-care, writing, typing, recreational activities or driving and DIY.
Importantly, these conditions can co-occur and overlap, and so are hugely personal to each individual.
Causes of neurodiversity
There are many causes of neurodiversity. Some instances may be genetic, or due to disease or various immune disorders. However, neurodivergent conditions also occur following trauma. This might be due to a brain injury following a road traffic accident, a brain injury at birth, or cerebral palsy.
FURTHER INFORMATION
At Kingsley Napley we have significant experience in dealing with claims following these types of injury. If this has been your experience, or that of someone you care about, please call a member of our team on 020 7814 1200.
We welcome views and opinions about the issues raised in this blog. Should you require specific advice in relation to personal circumstances, please use the form on the contact page.
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