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    Neurodiversity: Pocket Guide

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    Jeremy Jarvi
    This document provides a summary of key points about neurodiversity: - Neurodiversity acknowledges that every person's brain is unique and functions differently, with individual strengths and challenges. Conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism are considered forms of neurodiversity. - Rather than viewing neurodivergent traits as problems, the social model sees them as differences and focuses on reducing external barriers that impede inclusion. - The guide lists common effects and strengths of specific neurodivergent conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD to promote understanding diversity in thinking and learning.

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    Neurodiversity: Pocket Guide

    Uploaded by

    Jeremy Jarvi
    32 views10 pages
    This document provides a summary of key points about neurodiversity: - Neurodiversity acknowledges that every person's brain is unique and functions differently, with individual strengths and challenges. Conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism are considered forms of neurodiversity. - Rather than viewing neurodivergent traits as problems, the social model sees them as differences and focuses on reducing external barriers that impede inclusion. - The guide lists common effects and strengths of specific neurodivergent conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD to promote understanding diversity in thinking and learning.

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    010-157

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    This document provides a summary of key points about neurodiversity: - Neurodiversity acknowledges that every person's brain is unique and functions differently, with individual strengths and challenges. Conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism are considered forms of neurodiversity. - Rather than viewing neurodivergent traits as problems, the social model sees them as differences and focuses on reducing external barriers that impede inclusion. - The guide lists common effects and strengths of specific neurodivergent conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD to promote understanding diversity in thinking and learning.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    32 views10 pages

    Neurodiversity: Pocket Guide

    Uploaded by

    Jeremy Jarvi
    This document provides a summary of key points about neurodiversity: - Neurodiversity acknowledges that every person's brain is unique and functions differently, with individual strengths and challenges. Conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and autism are considered forms of neurodiversity. - Rather than viewing neurodivergent traits as problems, the social model sees them as differences and focuses on reducing external barriers that impede inclusion. - The guide lists common effects and strengths of specific neurodivergent conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD to promote understanding diversity in thinking and learning.

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    Neurodiversity

    Pocket guide
    Neurodiversity acknowledges that
    each person’s brain is unique. Our
    brains work and interpret
    information differently and we all
    bring individual experience,
    strengths, and assets to a situation.
    Neurodiversity can manifest in
    mood, behaviour and other
    cognitive functions.

    NEURODIVERSITY POCKET GUIDE


    For this pocket guide, we are including those with dyslexia,
    dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, attention deficit
    hyperactivity condition, ADHD, attention deficit disorder (ADD)
    and autism as neurodiverse but this is not an exhaustive list.
    Often those who are neurodivergent have more than one of
    these conditions.

    The term ‘specific learning difference’ refers to a difference/


    difficulty that an individual has with a particular aspect of
    learning. The most common specific learning differences are
    dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD, ADHD, dyscalculia and dysgraphia.
    Autism is the term used within this guide to include autistic
    spectrum condition (ASC) and Asperger’s syndrome following
    consultation with members.

    At the heart of neurodiversity is the idea that individual


    differences are not weaknesses, but that society imposes
    expectations based on a majority neurotypical population.
    When not met, this can lead to challenges.

    The Medical Model The Social Model

    Problem Barrier

    Problem Problem Barrier Barrier

    Problem Problem Barrier Barrier

    Image credit: taken from: rcn.org.uk/get-help/member-support-


    services/peer-support-services/health-ability-passport
    By applying a social model approach, we can appreciate that
    individual differences are not the problem but rather external
    barriers. By removing these barriers, we build a more inclusive
    society that values individual strengths and differences.

    Neurodiversity is experienced differently by different people


    and experiences are influenced by other factors such as race,
    cultural background and gender (this interplay of factors is
    referred to as intersectionality).

    These lists of effects and strengths are not exhaustive and


    there is overlap, especially as co-occurrences are very common.

    Dyslexia
    Effects/difficulties
    • Difficulties with spelling and fluent word reading.
    • Slower verbal processing speed.
    • Slower reading.
    • Reduced verbal memory and working memory.

    Strengths
    • Can view things from a different perspective.
    • Problem solving skills.
    • Empathy.
    • Creativity.
    • Visual/good pattern recognition.

    NEURODIVERSITY POCKET GUIDE


    Dyspraxia/developmental
    co-ordination disorder (DCD)
    Effects/difficulties
    • Poor motor control/co-ordination.
    • Clumsiness.
    • Poor time management/ organisation.
    • Difficulty finding right words.
    • Difficulties with left/right orientation.

    Strengths
    • Can view things from a different perspective.
    • Problem solving skills.

    Dyscalculia
    Effects/difficulties
    • Difficulty understanding numbers.
    • Poor sense of estimate of numbers.
    • Slow to perform calculations.
    • Forget mathematical procedures/maths facts.
    • Difficulty counting backwards.

    Strengths
    • Can view things from a different perspective.
    • Problem solving skills.
    • Strategic thinking.
    • Empathy.
    Autism
    Effects/difficulties
    • Difficulty interpreting verbal and non-verbal language
    eg, tone of voice and facial expressions.
    • Literal in understanding of language.
    • Difficulty reading other people.
    • Sensory sensitivities.
    • Repetitive/routine behaviours.
    • Anxiety.
    (National Autistic Society 2016)

    Strengths
    • Attention to detail.
    • Good at following and developing protocols and
    guidelines.
    • Can view things from a different perspective.
    • Problem solving skills.

    NEURODIVERSITY POCKET GUIDE


    ADHD
    Effects/difficulties
    • Poor attention (or hyper focus on stimulating tasks) or
    attention to detail
    • Hyperactivity or restlessness
    • Poor time management/prioritisation
    • Impulsiveness
    • Overworking, difficulty relaxing
    • Forgetfulness
    • Excessive talking.
    (Katzman et al., 2017)

    Strengths
    • Can hyperfocus on tasks and be extremely productive.
    • Can be very creative and entrepreneurial.
    • Can view things from a different perspective.
    • Problem solving skills.
    • Empathy.
    • Energetic.
    • Enthusiastic.
    • Hard working.
    • Interested in new things.
    • Sensitive.
    My strengths

    NEURODIVERSITY POCKET GUIDE


    My reasonable adjustments
    Please use this pocket guide in conjunction
    with our Neurodiversity Guidance publication
    (010 156) available at: rcn.org.uk/publications

    Further information is also available at:


    rcn.org.uk/neurodiversity

    May 2022
    Publication code: 010 157

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