What is Neurodivergent & Neurotypical?
Or should we be using Complementary Cognition?
Neurotypical: is considered to represent the typical individual and how they process the world around them.
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Neurodivergent: is considered to represent those individuals that process and experience the world around them differently than the neurotypical individual. Society currently considers this to encompass those with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and HSP.
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However if we are to be truthful in how we are all unique and experience the world through our own experiences, emotions, biochemistry, genetics, social interactions, traumas, and culture then we are all neurodivergent. When the term neurodivergent was first coined by Harvey Blume in 1998 and it was to represent that each of us experiences the world in our own unique way, and later mentioned in Judy Singer's thesis. However, the creation of the separation of neurotypical and neurodiverse can be attributed to autistic advocate Kassiane Asauamasu. Many scholars do not support the separation of processing styles into the two continuums as it furthers separation and they are not medically supported. The idea of using the term Complementary Cognition was brought forth by Helen Taylor a Research Associate and Project Lead at the University of Strathclyde. Complementary Cognition theory stemmed from her theory of human cognitive evolution and that we all, no matter what our processing style is, have a great purpose to further human development and culture.
What is Dyslexia?
The Dyslexic individual's brain is organized differently so that they can bring forth both different abilities and struggles than another person. It is a genetic processing style that has the propensity to be passed along to future generations with the rate of 50%. Dyslexia affects 5% of the world's population and is not just a childhood issue as it influences the individual throughout their life and into their social interactions. You can have a dyslexic processing style and not meet criteria for diagnosis (which is based around the level of struggle the individual has to meet the testing criteria).
Dyslexia is more complex than society recognizes and current research shows that it consists of:
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Biological traits that present uniquely for each individual - not all aspects of dyslexia influences each individual.
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Reported more commonly in men than women (3:1).
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Difficulties in reading, spelling, and writing words and sometimes in arithmetic.
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Limitations with recognizing letters, words, and phonemes, difficulty with word recall, organization and written expression.
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Limitations with short term memory, procedural memory, and prospective memory.
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Higher mental health issues, anxiety, increased suicide and self-harm tendencies.
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Big-picture thinking, problem-solving abilities, and enhanced communication skills.
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Increased episodic memory.
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MIND skills: material reasoning, interconnected reasoning, narrative reasoning, dynamic reasoning.
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Heightened reactions to emotional stimuli and more emotionally attuned than others.
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Their brains are working harder than others and so they may be tired more frequently. ]
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Process language through the right side of their brain and as such experience language emotionally.
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Diagnostic criteria for Dyslexia is based on how it negatively influences the individual: mildly, moderately and severely.
​Different ways that Dyslexia can affect the individual: phonological dyslexia, rapid naming deficit dyslexia, surface dyslexia, attentional dyslexia, and motor dyslexia.
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As you can see dyslexia is much more than just a learning or reading issue. Dyslexia affects all aspects of an individual's life as they process everything different than non-dyslexic person. Because of the Dyslexic's unique processing style they offer society so much and can bring forth tremendous compassion through their innate way of showing up in this world. It is also important to note that male and female dyslexics can present different from one another and unfortunately society and research only focuses on the male dyslexic's processing style.
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I am currently focusing my research and master's thesis on understanding how the female adult dyslexic experiences her social interactions and what influence these may have on her perception of self.
Once it is complete I will share my research results here.
What is an HSP?
Highly Sensitive People (HSP) make up 15 - 20% of the population.
Individuals with this trait are able to notice more of their subtile environmental cues; including the behavioural and emotional states of themselves and others. They process information to a great depth than others, and feel emotions at a deeper level. They can become easily overwhelmed and over stimulated; resulting in the need for greater down time.
Individuals that are HSP (aka Sensory Processing Sensitivity, SPS):​
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Are born with this trait - it is biological.
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Equally found in women and men.
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Have higher capabilities of empathy.
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Increase to overstimulation from sensory input.
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Process information at a deeper level.
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Sensitive to the subtitles in environment.
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Have more areas of their brains (limbic system) activated.
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Have nothing wrong with them!
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More in tune with the emotions and behaviours of others.
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More disturbed by violence, anger, tension by others.
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Great appreciation for beauty.
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Deep creative inner world.
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Commonly confused with: Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, Autism, Aspergers Syndrome
Common Qualities of HSP/SPS are:
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Creative Stick up for the underdog Compassionate Spiritual Loyal Focused Understand Emotion deeper
Need their alone time Ask deep thought provoking questions Intuitive Efficient
Concerned about animal/environmental issues Appreciate music/art Organized Easily affected by hunger
Aware of changes in their body Feelings can be easily hurt Disturbed by loud noises Respond more emotional
History:
Dr. Elaine Aron in 1991 began to identify the innate temperament traits of an HSP and was the first to coin the term: Highly Sensitive Person, HSP, SPS.
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To take Dr. Aron's self test to determine if you might be an HSP click here.
To take Dr. Aron's self test to determine if your child may have HSP click here.
For books on HSP click here.
I am a Dyslexic and HSP individual that is trained professional to work with those that are HSP and can offer other Dyslexic's insight into how to increase their well-being.
Contact me today.
