Breaking Barriers: How Neurodiversity Can Impact Wellbeing

Written by: Marcie O’Callaghan and Fatima Raza

Edited by: Jasmine Dehmasi and Helena Katona

In today's modern world, the term "neurodiversity" has been applied to a wide range of individuals and situations. "Neuro" fundamentally, refers to the neurological variations found in the human brain (Professional, 2024). These variations include challenges such as behavioural issues, learning disabilities, and mental illnesses but also strengths, such as better memory and advanced mathematical reasoning. People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), experience both of these challenges and strengths as they are all considered neurodivergent. Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, was the first person to use the term "neurodiversity" in the late 1990s. She defined it as a natural variation of the human brain that causes people to think and behave differently than others. So, just like two fingerprints, no two brains — not even for identical twins — are exactly the same (Professional, 2024).

Many people mistakenly believe that the term neurodiversity is a diagnosis or a disorder, however, it is a social and a cultural movement that seeks to reduce stigma (MEd, 2021). The movement brought on inclusivity and advocated for the usage of non-judgmental language. For example, instead of using person-first language, such as 'a person with Autism' or 'a person with Down Syndrome', neurodiversity supports using identity-language, such as 'an autistic person'. This elicits a much more positive response and gets rid of the stereotypical negative language terms (MEd, 2021).

While neurodiversity encompasses a broad range of cognitive differences, it is a highly subjective concept. Therefore, it is best to think of it as an umbrella term rather than a specific label or experience. Some individuals experience being Neurodiverse as a disadvantage, while others embrace it as a core component of their identity. For example, some people oppose the idea of neurodiversity because it puts too much focus on differences rather than recognizing actual deficits (Professional, 2024). They argue that society might overlook those with actual medical conditions, because everyone has “branded” themselves as neurodivergent. In simpler terms, they dislike the normalization neurodiversity encourages. On the other hand, many individuals including those with Autism, have wholeheartedly embraced neurodiversity, finding it has allowed them to thrive within their communities (MEd, 2021). In their experience, it has fostered an open and safe environment in the workplace, school, and healthcare facilities, by accommodating sensory needs, flexible schedules, and patience to those who need it.

Mental Health for Individuals with Autism

Research shows that 7 out of 10 individuals with autism have another mental health condition. Many factors contribute to this statistic including social barriers, stigma, discrimination, and lack of available support (Mental Health Foundation, 2022). There are a plethora of myths surrounding autism spectrum disorder which are fueled by a culture of  misinformation and poor education, making it difficult for individuals with autism to feel accepted by those around them. Autistic individuals who do not feel accepted by close ones such as family and friends are more likely to experience high levels of stress and are more prone to depression (Cage, Di Monaco & Newell, 2018). Additionally, most mental health resources are created without the needs of neurodivergent people in mind. Many autistic individuals have noted that a lot of mental health interventions promote neurotypical behaviours, which adds to their feelings of rejection and stigma (Curnow et al., 2023). Since most mental health interventions are not tailored to their needs, it can be difficult for autistic individuals to seek help. This lack of support exacerbates the risk of mental health challenges for people with autism . 

Mental Health Among Neurodivergent Individuals

Not only do these issues with social barriers, stigma, and discrimination have a negative impact on Autistic individuals but they also severely impact other neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD, OCD, or dyslexia. In fact, there is a high likelihood that people who are Autistic will have comorbidity (or co-occurrence) with another diagnosis. To clarify, this means that a patient can have more than one mental disorder in addition to their primary diagnosis (Top Doctors, 2023). For example, someone with OCD has a higher chance to be diagnosed with depression, later on resulting in taking antidepressants.

Recent research has indicated that the majority of neurodivergent individuals prefer to self-diagnose rather than receive a proper diagnosis. This is largely due to the difficult process one must undergo to receive an official diagnosis (Kroll et al., 2024). Some common barriers and obstacles include expensive costs at around $60 - $250 per hour for psychological evaluations in Canada and the apprehension of not being believed. To intensify the situation, neurodivergent individuals who did not receive a proper diagnosis during their childhood encounter even more difficulties in locating a provider with experience in treating adults, further delaying the process (Kroll et al., 2024). As a result, this often leads them to self-diagnose, increasing the risk in experiencing feelings of loneliness, isolation, underachievement, general unhappiness, and anxiety (Kroll et al., 2024). This is why some people believe having a medical diagnosis as early as possible is beneficial and can provide certain benefits that a self-diagnosis does not.

Other Common Challenges for Neurodivergent Individuals

Neurodivergent people face many more challenges outside of mental health. For example, researchers have pointed out various accessibility issues in public institutions that are supposed to be tailored to include everyone. A study examining the experiences of neurodivergent students in postsecondary education found that many neurodivergent students experience accessibility challenges. This includes assignments relying on social skills, inaccessible lecture recordings, stigmatization by professors and other students, as well as a lack of spaces on campus where they can meet their sensory needs (Butcher & Lane, 2024). Barriers like these add an additional layer of difficulty for neurodivergent students aiming to do well in school. 

These barriers also extend to the workforce, with neurodivergent people facing significantly higher rates of unemployment. Notably, the hiring process is specifically tailored for neurotypical people, leading neurodivergent individuals to feel like they need to change their typical behaviours in order to get hired. Since the recruitment process for most jobs focuses heavily on first impressions and social skills, neurodivergent candidates are often pushed to the side. With the high levels of stigma around neurodivergent disorders, many candidates have also reported feeling like they had to hide their diagnosis from their bosses (Davies et al., 2023). 

Beyond the barriers they face in the education system and in the workforce, neurodivergent people also face many challenges getting help for physical issues. Many neurodivergent people have expressed discomfort with accessing healthcare, stating that the spaces do not feel tailored to their needs. The bright lights, close touching, and loud noises associated with the doctor’s office can be much more overstimulating for neurodivergent people than for neurotypical individuals. The healthcare system is also centered around a patient’s ability to advocate for themselves, which can be hard for neurodivergent individuals who may lack social skills or who may not pick up on social cues easily (Richings, 2024). Since healthcare is supposed to be accessible for everyone, these barriers need to be addressed in order to ensure that neurodivergent individuals are able to safely access the healthcare they need.

There’s still a lot of work to be done in order to help neurodivergent people feel more accepted. Continuing to reduce the stigma around neurodiversity will help neurodivergent people across many aspects of their lives. In order to do this, one of the most important things is to educate people about neurodiversity and minimize misconceptions, since much of the stigma around neurodiversity stems from myths. To break down some of the barriers that neurodivergent people face, systems should be actively working towards improving accessibility with neurodivergent individuals in mind. In schools, this could look like giving alternative options for assessments that typically test social skills. Whereas in the workforce, this may include finding new ways to hire employees that focus on hands-on skills instead of the traditional formal interview, which relies heavily on social skills and first impressions. Lastly, creating safe spaces in public places is important to make neurodivergent people feel comfortable. This is especially important in healthcare settings, which are often a stressful environment for neurotypical people, yet the environment can cause a lot of additional stress for neurodivergent individuals. Spaces that have items like ear plugs, weighted blankets, and other items catered to sensory needs can help make neurodivergent people feel more comfortable (Richings, 2024). On the other hand, it is important to celebrate the strengths that being neurodivergent provides instead of always focusing on the challenges and barriers faced. Everyone is unique, and it’s important to share, celebrate and accept  these differences to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and accepted wherever they are.

Mental Health and Other Resources

McMaster Student Wellness Centre Resources webpage: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/resources/ 

McMaster Student Wellness Centre Counselling: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/services/counselling/ 

McMaster Student Wellness Centre Medical Care: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/services/medical-care/ 

McMaster Student Wellness Centre Health Promotion: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/services/health-promotion/ 

Centre for Diverse Learners: https://diverselearners.ca/ 

Hamilton Adaptive and Inclusive Programming: https://www.hamilton.ca/things-do/recreation/programs/adapted-and-inclusive-programming 

Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services: https://woodview.ca/ 

McMaster Children’s Hospital (HHS) Autism Program: https://www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca/mcmaster-childrens-hospital/areas-of-care/autism-program/

Balance, Support & Self-Care Studios: https://www.balancehamilton.ca/ 

References

Autism and mental health. Mental Health Foundation. (2022). https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/autism-and-mental-health 

Cage, E., Di Monaco, J., & Newell, V. (2018). Experiences of autism acceptance and mental health in autistic adults. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 48, 473-484. Comorbidity: What is it, examples and more | Top Doctors. (2023, May 26). Top Doctors. https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-dictionary/comorbidity#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of%20ychology,combined%20with%20a%20personality%20disorder

Curnow, E., Rutherford, M., Maciver, D., Johnston, L., Prior, S., Boilson, M., Shah, P., Jenkins, N., & Meff, T. (2023). Mental health in autistic adults: A rapid review of prevalence of psychiatric disorders and umbrella review of the effectiveness of interventions within a neurodiversity informed perspective. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0288275 

Davies, J., Heasman, B., Livesey, A., Walker, A., Pellicano, E., & Remington, A. (2023). Access to employment: A comparison of autistic, neurodivergent and neurotypical adults’ experiences of hiring processes in the United Kingdom. Autism, 27(6), 1746-1763.

Kroll, E., Lederman, M., Kohlmeier, J., Kumar, K., Ballard, J., Zant, I., & Fenkel, C. (2024). The positive impact of identity-affirming mental health treatment for neurodivergent individuals. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1403129

MEd, N. B. M. (2021, November 23). What is neurodiversity? Harvard Health.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645

Professional, C. C. M. (2024, July 15). Neurodivergent. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent

Richings, R. (2024). The challenges of seeking healthcare as a neurodivergent person - non profit news: Nonprofit quarterly. Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/the-challenges-of-seeking-healthcare-as-a-neurodivergent-person/#:~:text=Neurodivergent%20people%20often%20have%20lower,increased%20anxiety%2C%20and%20sensory%20sensitivity