Is "neurodiversity" our word?

Post Reply New Topic

I am a member of the diversity committee at my workplace. At one of our early meetings I pointed out that our definition of "diversity," does not include neurodiversity. That means, of course, that it is my responsibility to come up with language to expand the definition.

I want a definition that includes not only people in our workplace that are on the autism spectrum, but also those who bring other differences to their work. There are people here with social anxiety, attention deficits, obsessive/compulsive behaviours, learning disabilities. I want to ensure that all of them see themselves as included within our diversity policy.

So my question becomes, "Does neurodiversity refer exclusively to the autism spectrum, or is it a broad enough term to include other differences?"

Well, in a way it does, but on the other hand, that word could apply to any "mindset." Taken literally, this would cover anyone with a different opinion to everyone else rather than an actual psychological Dx. If you think about it, human habitation on the planet is very neurodiverse. Thats why different cultures, philosophies, religions, etc exist. So on one hand, yes, on another, no. Psychodiversity might be a better word, but that could be easily put into the same wording as neurodiversity (as both words mean about the same thing). I think it would be considered psychosocial diversity as, if im interpreting correctly, that those with different brain wiring are psychologically and socially different from the "norm." Might want to hit the thesaurus for a bit and see what other prefixes might be better suited.

I don't see it the same way as PlateDrake. People on the autistic spectrum are not the only ones with true neurological differences. Bipolar. Down's syndrome. (The latter has other differences as well, but, still, neurological difference too.) Homosexuals. Some nuerological differences can fairly be called disorders, some shouldn't be. I certainly think homosexuality falls under neurodiversity, and isn't a disorder.

We should stat using the term ND now when we talk about people off the spectrum, NT's and ND's and then this place be a much better place. No more discrimination against NT's if we start using the term ND too. We're ND's. My husband is an ND.

<shrug> tendency of mine to be a bit too literal at times. Neuro and psycho are about the same in my mind, but Im open more accurate interpretations. Given neuro meaning, "brain," then yes, neurodiversity as word would work.

NO, I meant ND as in people with mental conditions. Not just us.

I think that the term should invlove all types of mental disabilities and disorders. I also think that every person on this planet is worthy of life, and that we should celebrate all human differences, no matter what they are. God don't make no crap.

Aren't we being a little persnickety here? I'd say neurodiversity can include anyone who wants to be included.