What is...
This page shares information about neurodiversity and emotional intelligence.
This is not an all-inclusive list, and information/definitions have been pulled from a variety of sources.
neurodiversity
Neurodiversity
Noun: The diversity or variation of cognitive functioning in people. Everyone has a unique brain and therefore different skills, abilities, and needs.
Neurodiverse
Adjective: Describes the diversity and variation of cognitive functioning in people. Neurodiverse is typically used to describe neurodivergent people
Neurodivergence
Noun: Cognitive functioning which is not considered "typical". For example, autistic, dyslexic, and dyspraxic people.
Neurodivergent
Adjective: Describes people who have a neurodivergence.
neurodiversity: Types
adhd
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by executive dysfunction occasioning symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation that are excessive and pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and developmentally-inappropriate.
autism
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive, restricted, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as well as deficits in social communication and social interaction, and the presence of high or low sensory sensitivity.
A(u)dhd
AuDHD is a term used to describe when someone has both autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's more common than previously thought, with up to 70% of people with autism also having ADHD.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a learning disability resulting in difficulty learning or comprehending arithmetic, such as difficulty in understanding numbers, numeracy, learning how to manipulate numbers, performing mathematical calculations, and learning facts in mathematics.
(in no particular order)
Dyspraxia
Developmental coordination disorder, also known as developmental motor coordination disorder, developmental dyspraxia or simply dyspraxia, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired coordination of physical movements as a result of brain messages not being accurately transmitted to the body.
dyslexia
Dyslexia, previously known as word blindness, is a learning disability that affects either reading or writing. Different people are affected to different degrees.
sensory processing disorder
Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which multisensory input is not adequately processed in order to provide appropriate responses to the demands of the environment. Sensory processing disorder is present in many people with dyspraxia, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ocd
Obsessive–compulsive disorder is a mental and behavioral disorder in which an individual has intrusive thoughts and feels the need to perform certain routines repeatedly to relieve the distress caused by the obsession, to the extent where it impairs general function.
bipolar
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that each last from days to weeks.
Tourette's
Tourette syndrome or Tourette's syndrome is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by multiple movement tics and at least one vocal tic. Common tics are blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements.
auditory processing disorder
Significant difficulty understanding speech, especially in the presence of background noise. Difficulty following multi-step directions that are presented verbally, without visual cues. Easily distracted by loud or spontaneous (sudden) sounds. Difficulty attending to long lectures or other long periods of listening.
neurodiversity: behaviors
(in no particular order)
masking
​Masking is when a person with ADHD acts in a “socially acceptable” way to fit in and form better connections with those around them.
This usually involves camouflaging their symptoms by controlling their impulses, rehearsing responses, and copying the behaviors of those who don’t have ADHD.
rsd
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when you experience severe emotional pain because of a failure or feeling rejected.
This condition is linked to ADHD and experts suspect it happens due to differences in brain structure. Those differences mean your brain can’t regulate rejection-related emotions and behaviors, making them much more intense.
executive dysfunction
​Executive dysfunction is a behavioral symptom that disrupts a person's ability to manage their own thoughts, emotions and actions.
It's most common with certain mental health conditions, especially addictions, behavioral disorders, brain development disorders and mood disorders.
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For reference:
Executive function is a set of mental skills. It includes working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life.
Some people describe executive function as “the management system of the brain.” That’s because the skills involved let us set goals, plan, and get things done. When people struggle with executive function, it impacts them in all areas of life.
body-doubling
Body-doubling is a productivity aid that may help neurodivergent people stay focused and motivated while they’re working.
A body double is a person who works alongside you, either in-person or virtually, as you complete a task you might otherwise neglect.
Object impermanence
Object impermanence is the feeling that something bad is about to happen, or the uncertainty of whether the world exists when you're not looking.
It can also refer to a challenge with object permanence, which is the ability to understand that things are still there when they can't be seen. People with ADHD may have trouble with object permanence, which can make it difficult to remember things that aren't immediately visible.
sensory overload
Sensory overload is the overstimulation of one or more of the body's five senses. People will respond differently to feeling overstimulated, but symptoms often include anxiety, discomfort, and fear.
sensory aversion
Sensory aversion is a condition where a person experiences a strong dislike or avoidance of certain sensory stimuli.
These stimuli can include:
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Taste: Disliking certain tastes or food textures
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Smell: Reacting strongly to particular smells or scents
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Texture: Disliking certain textures or fabrics against the skin
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Sight: Being bothered by bright lights, flashing lights, or specific visual stimuli
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Sound: Overreacting to loud noises or certain frequencies
decision paralysis
Decision paralysis, also known as analysis paralysis or choice paralysis, is a common challenge for people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It can occur when someone is faced with too many options and feels overwhelmed by the situation. This can lead to difficulty making decisions, which can cause stress and delays.
binocular vision dysfunction (BVD)
Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the eyes are slightly misaligned, causing difficulty for the brain to merge images, and can often present with similar symptoms to ADHD, including difficulty concentrating, eye strain, headaches, and trouble reading, leading to potential misdiagnosis between the two conditions; studies suggest a significant overlap between individuals diagnosed with ADHD and those experiencing BVD, with some estimates claiming up to 50% of people with ADHD may also have BVD.
"external processors" & adhd
Many Adults with ADHD are external processors. That is, they do their best thinking when they can talk aloud.
Thay share their thoughts and feelings as a means of working through them.
adhd motivators
ADHD motivators are the following:
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Interest
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Novelty
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Challenge
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Urgency
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Passion
Neurotypicals are motivated by:
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Importance
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Consequence
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Reward
high co-occurance & adhd
If you have ADHD, there is a significantly high chance that you also have another neurodiversity, with studies showing that anywhere from 20-70% of people with ADHD also meet criteria for another neurodivergent condition like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia, or dyspraxia, depending on the specific condition; meaning the odds are quite high that you might have another neurodiversity alongside ADHD.
emotional intelligence
emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions, as well as understand and influence the emotions of others. It's also known as emotional quotient (EQ).
Four pillars of EI: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management.
