What is Neurodivergent?
Neurodivergent: a brain that functions in ways different from society’s standard of typical.
“Neurodivergence (the state of being neurodivergent) can be largely or entirely genetic and innate, or it can be largely or entirely produced by brain-altering experience, or some combination of the two…”. For example, you might be born with autism, but you might acquire depression later in life from social or genetic triggers.
Being neurodivergent is about understanding that our brains work differently. It’s about owning our identity, then, if necessary, obtaining the correct tools to optimise our brains so we can shoot for the stars! It’s about letting the world know that we’re here and we’re not going away!
Although we know that neurodivergents don’t necessarily need to fit into specific categories, here we talk about conditions such as:
ADHD, autism, dyslexia, hyperlexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, auditory processing, sensory processing, Tourette Syndrome; and
Associated mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, eating and weight conditions, CPTSD/PTSD, bipolar, personality conditions, identity and dissociative conditions, schizophrenia; and
Associated speech and language conditions like stuttering; epilepsy and trauma induced brain states (ie from stroke or accident, etc.).
What We Believe
- We are fighting society’s stigma surrounding being different to the typical neurological state. We want to raise neurodivergents up so that, where possible, they can excel!
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We acknowledge that neurodivergents don’t always fit neatly into categorical boxes and often experience traits at varying severities across a range of different conditions. We believe the overlap between conditions is huge and want to help by including information on one site.
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It is up to the individual neurodivergent to decide if they accept or reject their diagnostic label/s. Preferring labels or disliking them, we work to create our very best selves and improve not only our lives but the lives of other neurodivergents. We support Clinical diagnosis to Neurodivergent or Well-Informed Clinicians.
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We assert that we come with much to offer and we ask for allowances and accomodations in the workplace, schools, and in our social environments, so that we can work on delivering our unique abilities to the world.
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There is an argument to be made that the origin of all conditions is either genetic, environmental, or both; therefore, we don’t discriminate between conditions that arise from birth or those that we acquire. Likewise, people who are born with neurodevelopmental conditions often go on to develop other neurodivergent conditions later their lives. Everyone is equally deserved of being raised up to reach their true potential.
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We endorse services that aim to work with the neurodivergent to realise their potential strengths, and minimise/eliminate what the individual decides is not working for them.
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We acknowledge that there are young children, and those on the more severely affected end of diagnostic categories who are not able to advocate for themselves. We support their caregivers in their personal decisions to do what’s best.
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This site is not a place to belittle neurotypicals but instead to celebrate and praise our many neurodivergent qualities, while lamenting our everyday frustrations. It is also not a place to argue with each other. Please treat others’ opinions with respect and decency.
What We Do
Here at Planet Neurodivergent, we espouse the motto ‘strengths and challenges’.
Planet Neurodivergent invites all neurodivergents to share their thoughts, stories, articles and photographs to uplift and support the entire Neurodivergent community. If you’d like to contribute, create an account at the top of the page, then go to ‘My Account’, where you can write and submit a post.
Access our online Neurodivergent Support Service, today!
We want to see every single neurodivergent on this planet happy, thriving and successful – balanced between staying on top of your challenges and giving back to the planet with your extraordinary gifts. Chat to our qualified neurodivergent coaches and consultants from the comfort of your own home. Further info here.