Broader Neuroatypicality

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Broader Neuroatypicality

So, over at GenderBitch’s tumblr there has been some discussion of broader Neuroatypicality.

Which really is a discussion on broader Neurodiversity. Yay, diversity.

Outside of the Autism community Neurotypicality is more than just “not Autistic”. It also means you don’t have most forms of “Neuroatypicality.” Stuff like OCD, ADHD, Bipolar, and Schizophrenia are included in broader ND. These are all considered “Neurologically Atypical” and so all are a part of broader Neurodiversity.

Additionally, It isn’t uncommon even within the Autistic community to find people referring to those with OCD or ADHD calling them “Cousins” to Autistics- We share common Neuroatypicalities. Those with OCD and ADHD have executive function issues, from ordering of thoughts to focus to remembering the order and implementation of tasks.

There is also talk of Broader Autistic Phenotype- those who have similarities to those who are Autistic, but might not have enough to be diagnosed. Those with Non-verbal Learning Disability (NLD) as well as some people with OCD or ADHD also consider themselves part of the broader phenotype.

My mother has ADHD and Narcolepsy. She IDs as both Neuroatypical and as Broader Autistic Phenotype. I don’t know if I really consider her broader Autistic Phenotype, but it is how she IDs. Her mother, my grandmother, is Autistic but she doesn’t really ID as anything in particular. In the end, it is about how you ID.

Or how another person IDs. We shouldn’t be policing people on their Neuroatypicality.