On Neurodiversity

At a conference session on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I learned that we need to be allies of those on the autism spectrum.

Since I am physically clumsy, socially awkward, and have my share of personality quirks, I wondered if I was on the spectrum. So I took the Autism Spectrum Quotient test that was in Wired magazine. It was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen (yes, he is related to actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen) and learned that I was just under the threshold. So I followed through with this screening was evaluated. Although I have several of the features, I did not meet the diagnostic criteria.

However, I do feel I fit into a category that author John Elder Robison, who has written several books on his experience as someone on the spectrum, has described as proto-Aspergers. (Note: his books were written before Asperger’s syndrome was redefined in the DSM-V.) The following passage describes where I think I fit on the edge of the spectrum.

These are people with plenty of Asperger quirks but not too many disabilities. They’re different and eccentric, but most of them Blend into society a bit more smoothly than most of we full-blooded Aspergians do. There are quite a few proto-Aspergians out there — perhaps as much as five percent of the population. Lots of engineers, scientists, geeks, and common nerds are in this category … many are blessed with above-average intelligence, and most are pretty functional.

John Elder Robison, “Be Different: Adventures of a Free-Range Aspergian

People who are not on the autism spectrum are described by the term neurotypical. And the opposite of neurotypical is neurodiverse (or neurodivergent). In addition to the autism spectrum, those with ADHD, dyslexia, and various other different abilities are considered part of this community.

As you can see from the graphic above, neurodiversity covers a broad range of conditions, which are not necessarily disabilities but different ways that people are wired. So as allies, we need to both appreciate the gifts of the high-functioning members of the neurodiverse community as well as advocate for accommodations for those who need them.