Neurodiversity holds the key to productivity
The popularity of The Good Doctor TV series sparked a global interest in the field of neurological differences. It featured a gifted doctor who was autistic, which to most people, was not a usual thing. In some way, it fired up the debate on the concept of neurodiversity, which surprisingly has been around since 1998.
Unlike previously, where people with neurological differences were labeled as having a disability, increased awareness has made people realize that this group of people can live a normal productive life if given the opportunity. But what exactly is neurodiversity, and what is its impact on productivity?
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is a concept that promotes the recognition and respect of neurological differences as any other human variation. Neurodiverse people have different structures and levels of neurological traits that affect their sociability, attention, mood, or learning functions. They include those with autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, and Tourette syndrome. It is basically a variation in human wiring and not a disability.
With an estimated one in every fifty people being neurodiverse, there is no doubt that it’s about time neurodiversity was embraced everywhere. Providing a conducive environment for these groups of people will allow them to reach the best of their abilities, which is immense productivity. Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs are just but a few of the famous successful people who are said to have been neurodiverse. They are clear evidence that neurological differences are not a disability.
Gifted Individuals
Many of the people with neurodiversity are truly gifted. However, the labeling by the society that they are disabled becomes a barrier to the utilization of those gifts at professional levels. There is a need to reorganize workplaces and schools to accommodate neurodiverse people. Workplaces that have attempted to do that have had tremendous improvements in performance. Even in schools, those given an opportunity and a conducive environment with the necessary help have had an outstanding performance.
Final Thoughts
Although there have been significant advances over the 22 years since the advent of the concept of neurodiversity, more needs to be done. The creation of awareness and adjustment of schools and workplaces will enable the full implementation of the concept, which is beneficial both to neurodiverse individuals and the society at large.
