Research suggests that brains develop and work differently due to various factors. How you process information and other things can be influenced by your development before birth, genetics and health risks that impact your brain. Read on to discover what it means to be neurodivergent.

Sometimes, people have brain differences that can impact how their brain functions. These differences can include strengths and weaknesses such as improved memory, solving complex mathematical calculations, or lack of proper speech. In most instances, they can experience learning difficulties, medical conditions, and other related health concerns.

While neurodivergent isn’t a medical term, it is often used to describe different people without using potentially harmful terms like “abnormal”. On the other hand, people who don’t experience differences in brain functionality are known as neurotypical. This is when they don’t face challenges that impact their brain function.

Types of Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence can encompass various ways that highlight how your brain differs from others. If there’s a structured and consistent way that your brain processes information, it might be categorised into the following:

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Do you have difficulty managing your attention, behaviour, emotions, and thoughts? ADHD is a type of neurodivergence that makes it a challenge to organise a surge of emotions linked with specific behaviour. However, if you fall under this type, you are likely an exceptional problem solver who’s sensitive to the emotional needs of others.

Autism

Sometimes, the brain doesn’t develop correctly, leading to complex challenges, including social communication. Autism is classified as a spectrum disorder that consists of a broad range of brain-related conditions. You may experience speech and social skills difficulties and show repetitive behaviour that impacts specific cognitive abilities.

Dyslexia

Most people think dyslexia is limited to reading words or letters out of order. However, this condition can include more than that. For instance, it might involve confusing certain letters, not organising words into proper sentences, and needing help following directions.

Other types of neurodivergence can include chronic mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Additionally, they can be caused by various genetic disorders like Down’s syndrome. If you have not been diagnosed with any neurodivergence, you should consider seeking professional advice to find out for sure.

Possible Causes

Neurodivergence is linked to how your brain develops during critical stages before birth or as a baby. It differs from the definition of mental health because it isn’t related to patterns of behaviour affected by your state of mind due to specific experiences. However, neurodivergence can be misdiagnosed as a mental illness due to specific behaviours and traits.

In most cases, the possible causes of neurodivergence occur at a young age and can include:

• Nutritional factors during the pregnancy stage.
• Trauma at birth.
• Genetics.
• Immune disorders.
• Infectious diseases that impact brain development.
• Physical trauma.

In summary, your strengths and weaknesses make you unique with a brain that doesn’t function like the next person’s. If these differences lead to challenges impacting your everyday life, you should consider seeking medical advice. With Affinity Health, you can learn more about your neurodivergent status with reliable healthcare plans that take the worry out of the costs of Specialist visits.