Terminology
The idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiverse individuals are similar.
False – neurodiverse individuals all sit at different places on the cognitive spectrum, meaning the way they think, behave and process information is unique to them.
Only a small percentage of people with Tourette syndrome blurt out obscenities
Fact - Only 10-20% of people with Tourette syndrome blurt out obscenities, and those people are generally embarrassed about and try to prevent this. Tourette syndrome and swearing are commonly linked together, which is likely due to the fact that it is one of the most highlighted symptoms on television and in movies. This portrayal has contributed to the incorrect stereotype.
This singer rose to fame in 2009 after appearing as a contestant on the third series of Britain's Got Talent, singing "I Dreamed a Dream". She was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. This affects the ability to effectively socialize and communicate.
Who is Susan Boyle?
A condition that affects how your brain processes sensory information (stimuli), which may include things you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch, as well as your center of balance.
What is sensory processor disorder
This describes a person with a brain variation or cognitive difference that is often not culturally valued or socially advantaged
What is Neurodivergent?
Someone cannot have multiple Neurodivergent identities.
False - people can have multiple neurodivergent identities at the same time, for example, it is very common for ADHD and ASD to be dually diagnosed.
People with Autism are best suited for jobs that entail repetitive tasks
Myth - Individuals with ASD have many diverse strengths, talents, and skills that would benefit employers. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate is estimated to be between 50% and 75% for adults with ASD, and many of those who do have jobs are underemployed. One reason for this is that individuals with ASD often lack the social skills necessary to be successful during job interviews and in the workplace.
In 2022, this famous singer who sang “You should see me in a crown” disclosed they have a Tourette's Syndrome diagnosis
Who is Billie Eilish?
The experience of being overwhelmed by sensory input, including but not limited to, smells, tastes, colors, and light levels.
What is Sensory Overload?
This is used by many autistic people when they repeat things said back to you
What is echolalia?
Adults can be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
True - although it is harder to diagnose autism once the individual has reached adulthood, as generally, they have learned tricks to function in their community.
High-functioning Autism (formerly known as Asperger’s disorder) is characterized by having Savant Syndrome
Myth - While the media tends to portray the extreme ends of the autism spectrum (think Rain Man), individuals with ASD have a variety of strengths and needs
While savant syndrome occurs more often with autism than without (1 in 10 children), it does also sometimes occur in children with non-autistic developmental disorders (1 in 1,400)
While this condition can be genetic or inborn, it can also be acquired later in childhood, or even in adults.
This Autistic environmental activist is known for leading climate strikes outside the Swedish Parliament
Who is Greta Thunberg?
Flapping, fidgeting, and spinning are examples of this self-stimulatory behavior
What is stimming?
The set of abilities used to plan complex cognitive tasks, to translate motivation into action
What is Executive function?
Dyslexia is a problem with literacy
FALSE- Dyslexia affects the way information is processed, stored and retrieved, with difficulties in memory, speed of processing, time perception, organisation and sequencing. High-ability dyslexic people often have good literacy skills.
ADHD symptoms can get confused with anxiety or depression
Fact - For girls with ADHD symptoms tend to be less physically hyperactive and more inwardly mentally and emotionally hyperactive — for example, living lifetimes of exciting possibilities in their minds within a single hour, which is less visibly noticeable and can get confused with anxiety or depression.
This Olympic gymnast, best known for her mental health advocacy, has ADHD
Who is Simone Biles?
In 2017, an Autistic character named Julia was introduced to this show
What is Sesame Street?
This term refers to a population of neurodivergent people who share a similar form of neurodivergence such as autistic people and dyslexic people.
What is a Neurominority?
1/4 of children who show traits of Autism are not diagnosed or receiving services.
TRUE - for example, due to genetic and societal factors and girls persent different symtoms, autism is often missed in girls. Studies have also shown that stigma, lack of access to healthcare services due to non-citizenship or low-income, and non-English primary language are potential barriers to identification of children with ASD especially among Hispanic children.
People with dyslexia are usually more creative and have a higher level of intelligence
Fact - research has found that people with dyslexia have a statistically significantly higher propensity for unusual combination of ideas, which is an aspect of creative thinking, when compared with those without this neurodiversity.
This billionaire entrepreneur credits his dyslexia for much of his success.
Who is Richard Branson?
This is an intense focus on a certain topic, hobby, or activity
What is Hyperfixation or Hyperfocus