Neuro-Divergent Conditions

NEURO-DEVELOPMENTAL (Neuro-divergent) CONDITIONS

Neurodiversity is a termed used to describe the range of differences in human brain functions and their associated behavioural traits.

  • It describes the variation in how people experience the world. 
  • It's influenced by genetics and environmental factors


While a large proportion of people's brain's functions (information processing and communication) and behavioural traits tend to fall within certain close range of the percentile, a smaller percentage fall outside of the range. People in the first group are referred to as Neuro-typical  while the people in the second group are referred to as Neuro-divergent.


The following are grouped within the umbrella of Neuro-Divergent Conditions:

  1. Autism,
  2. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder),
  3. Dyscalculia,
  4. Dyslexia,
  5. Dyspraxia
  6. Tourette's syndrome.


All these conditions have a spectrum with some individuals experiencing only limited challenges relating to their conditions while others experience more extreme challenges. While neuro-divergent conditions can often occur alongside mental health challenges (e.g. anxiety, depression, addiction), mental health issues are distinct from neuro-divergent conditions.


Prevalence of Neuro-divergent conditions:

It is estimated that:

  • Around 15% (or 1 in 7) of people in the UK are neuro-divergent.


  • Between 10% and 20% of the world's population is neuro-divergent.


This means that this group of people's brains function, learn, and process information differently


ATTENTION DEFICIT, HYPERACTIVITY DISORDERS (ADHD)

Description of condition

  • Affects how people communicate and interact with the world.


Prevalence (UK)

  • Estimated at 3 to 4 per 100 adults.


Examples of attributes

  • Creativity
  • Ability to cope well in a crisis
  • Ability to ‘hyper-focus’ on a specific task
  • Intuitive and detailed-oriented
  • Empathetic and intuitive
  • Ability to be flexible and spontaneous.
  • Often bring optimism to the workplace.


Examples of challenges

  • Concentration
  • Causes restlessness and impulsivity (in some cases)
  • Focus
  • Pay attention at meetings
  • Manage/organise their time
  • Stay on top of their workload
  • Follow instructions
  • Meet deadlines
  • Communicate with their co-workers
  • Follow through with what they’re supposed to do

Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Description of condition

  • A lifelong developmental condition which affects how people communicate and interact with the world the effects of which can differ from person to person.


Prevalence (UK)

  • Around  1 in 100 people


Examples of attributes

  • Memorising and learning information quickly
  • Logical thinking ability
  • Extraordinarily good memory
  • Being precise and detail orientated
  • Honesty and reliability Punctual
  • Strong adherence to rules
  • Able to concentrate for long periods of time (when motivated)
  • Capability for alternate problem solving
  • Punctual


Examples of challenges

  • Social interaction
  • Making eye contact
  • Reacting to body language, such as smiling
  • Uncomfortable experiencing certain tastes, smells or sounds

 

Dyscalculia

Description of condition

  • Makes it difficult to understand and work with numbers, perform calculations, and remember mathematical facts.


Prevalence (UK)

  • About 1 in 20 people


Examples of attributes

  • Creativity
  • Strategic thinking
  • Practical ability
  • Problem solving
  • Often exceptional reading
  • Writing and spelling
  • Intuitive thinking


Examples of challenges 

  • Counting backwards
  • Weak mental arithmetic
  • Skills difficulty
  • Difficulty understanding graphs or charts
  • Poor time management
  • Difficulty using applications such as Excel

 



Dyspraxia

Description of condition

Affects physical coordination and balance. it is also known as developmental coordination disorder (DCD)


Prevalence (UK)

  • 1 in 10 people


Examples of attributes

  • Hardworking and usually highly motivated
  • Highly determined individuals with great potential in the workplace
  • Creative original thinkers
  • Good strategic problem-solvers


Examples of challenges

  • Ability to develop their own strategies to overcome difficulties
  • Ability to plan sequences of movement
  • Perceived clumsy movement

Dyslexia

Description of condition

  • Impacts literacy and certain abilities used for learning, including reading and writing, remembering and processing information.


Prevalence (UK)

  • 1 in 10 people


Examples of attributes

  • Good problem-solving ability
  • Creativity
  • Very observant
  • High levels of empathy
  • Good at making connections
  • Strong narrative reasoning
  • Three-dimensional thinking


Examples of challenges

  • Read and write slowly
  • Confuse the order of letters in words
  • Confused by letters that look similar and write letters the wrong way round (such as "b" and "d")
  • Have poor or inconsistent spelling
  • Understand information when told verbally, but have difficulty with information that's written down
  • Find it hard to carry out a sequence of directions
  • Struggle with planning and organisation


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