Neuroadvantage - The Strengths-based Approach to Neurodivergence

One of the most exciting developments from recent research has been an increase in our capacity to empower neurodivergent people to realise their potential and to share their gifts. This is a transformative breakthrough.

We are entering an age where personalisation and tailoring of our schools and workplaces empowers people to make contributions that were previously blocked. Additionally, we now have devices that empower people to learn and work in different ways. What were once insurmountable barriers, are no longer obstacles to successful involvement.

In our schools this occurs through the recognition of the learning strengths and the differentiation of learning methods to enable students to learn in ‘their’ way rather than in ‘our’ way. We are just beginning the journey towards developing different ways to assess competence that enables learners to demonstrate knowledge and skills in their way rather than in one accepted way. As the famous cartoon depicted, don’t assess a fish’s capacity for success by measuring its ability to climb a tree.

In our workplaces, we are able to draw upon a wider, more diverse range of contributions that enriches our creative thinking, problem solving and productivity. Teams are able to embrace a broader range of possibilities to improve outcomes.

Viewing differences as strengths rather than threats not only increases social and team cohesion, it also gives us adaptability and creativity. Leveraged well, this becomes a massive advantage.

When we shift from believing there is one way to be smart, to a world where there are many ways to be smart, we all benefit. Work teams benefit from drawing upon the perspectives and expertise from a broader range of workers. Schools become richer and more interesting places that can leverage the different attributes of students. When differences are seen as strengths rather than oddities, we not only recognise the individuality of people, we can leverage it to create better outcomes. This not only creates a more tolerant and accepting world, it deepens collaboration, creativity, deep thinking and innovation.

For too long, neurodivergent people were seen as a bit quirky-interesting perhaps - but not really valued for what they could bring to the table. The challenges that they face were viewed as barriers. This was amplified by a diagnostic system that while opening opportunities for funding and support, overlooked the gifts and strengths of neurodivergent people. Most of the clusters of strengths and vulnerabilities of neurodivergent people were then summed up under the banner of ‘disorders’.

Even the language of inclusion hides a hidden assumption that with sufficient modifications and accommodations, neurodiverse people can be helped to become a bit more mainstream. It is almost as if we are saying, wouldn’t it be better if everyone could be a little bit more like ‘us’.

This is puzzling. It doesn’t take much of a dip into human history to acknowledge that the tribes we all originated from, benefitted from a diverse range of skills, learning methods and different ways of solving problems. Without the variety of skills that pattern-detectors, high energy people, fierce defenders, creative thinkers and people who perceived the world in different ways gave the tribe, it is unlikely they would have survived. They didn’t rely on one type of skill or one way of learning. They didn’t just ‘celebrate’ diversity, they relied upon it.  We owe our existence to our neurodivergent ancestors.

Each grouping of neurodiversity contains not just challenges to cope with a world that has a limited way of doing things, it also contains gifts that can be used.

In my role as a clinical psychologist, I have sat with many neurodivergent people who have been disregarded or marginalised by their schools or workplaces. Sadly, in some cases they have been bullied and have had their spirits crushed. As we have talked and as their tentative trust has grown, they have shared some of the most insightful analyses of the behaviour of their colleagues. It is sometimes those who are ‘outsiders’, who are overlooked, who see us most clearly.

They have also shared with me ideas and innovations that could, if considered deeply and adopted, transform the way our schools and workplaces operate. Our most innovative ideas may come from those who experience the world differently.

Of course, there are challenges, and some neurodivergent people need support to understand and actualise their potential. Some will face social obstacles, others have different ways of communicating, some have sensory differences or movement issues. We should support and assist but we need to be careful not to slip into a deficit mindset. Our opportunity is to ensure that those challenges are not barriers. New technologies are evolving that override the obstacles that these diversities previously encountered.

Just as our wise ancestors depended upon the neurodivergence of members to survive, we are now in a position to utilise the neuroadvantages and perspectives of a broader range of people to help us adapt to and innovate in, a challenging world.

Neuroadvantage is coming soon. Published by Amba Press.