In 1970, April was designated Autism Awareness Month and in recent years has been expanded to be known as Neurodiversity Awareness Month. (ISC)² is excited to celebrate all the different ways our brains navigate the world in which we live and work. But what does “Neurodiversity” mean?
There are three aspects that we must first define:
Neurodiversity refers to the fact that people experience and interact with the world differently from each other.
The Neurodiversity Movement is a social justice movement that aims to increase acceptance of, and destigmatize, neurodivergence. It seeks civil rights, equality, and full social inclusion for the neurodivergent.
The Neurodiversity Paradigm is a form of human diversity that is subject to the same social dynamics as other forms of diversity (including dynamics of power and oppression).
These three definitions are important as they often get mixed, resulting in people using the incorrect terms. When talking about neurodivergence, it is important to use the correct language so as not to confuse, divert or undermine.
The Neurodiversity Movement has its origins in the Autistic Rights Movement that sprung up in the 1990s. “Neurodiversity” as a term was coined in 1998 by an autistic Australian sociologist named Judy Singer and was quickly picked up and expanded upon within the autistic activist community. The Neurodiversity Movement aims to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences.
The focus of work within the neurodiversity paradigm has broadened beyond autism (ASD) to encompass other forms of neurodivergence, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more. Here is an excerpt from neurodiversity understanding neurodiversity prominence cybersecurity
