NBC’s TODAY Show Talks About What It Means to be Neurodivergent

Caroline Kee of NBC’s TODAY show wrote about what it means to be neurodivergent in a blog post published on November 27, 2024,

The original definition of neurodivergent can be traced back to the 1990s when Australian sociologist Judy Singer found natural, inherent differences relating to human brain functioning and its faculties. Kassiane Asasumasu, an American Autism activist, went further in the 2000’s claiming that the neurodivergent spectrum does not just include individuals with Autism. That the umbrella term covers individuals but with ADHD, dyslexia, and other similar conditions.  When comparing neurodivergent versus neurotypical, the latter mentioned term is defined as individuals with typical or expected neurological development or functioning.

Eric Butter, Ph.D. chief of pediatric psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital told NBC that neurodiversity and neurodivergence is meant to describe the experience of how different brains work. Butter said: “no two brains are the same.”  The TODAY Show also mentioned the Cleveland Clinic’s defined list of conditions relating to neurodivergent as follows:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Dysgraphia
• Dyslexia
• Apraxia of speech
• Intellectual disabilities
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Sensory processing disorders
• Tourette syndrome
• Williams syndrome

Keep in mind that not everyone with a neurodivergent condition will identify as neurodiverse or neurodivergent.  Neurodivergent individuals will face difficulties such with social interaction, staying still, executive functioning, and time management.  This is overshadowed by the strengths of neurodiversity:

• Greater attention to detail
• Creativity Out-of-the-box thinking
• Ability to focus intensely
• Highly observant
• Pattern recognition
•  Enthusiasm
• Visual thinking
• Resilience

The article written by NBC’s TODAY was intended to bring greater awareness about the term neurodivergent to the American population. With TODAY being the nation’s top rated breakfast news show, Kee’s blog post could help more Americans understand neurodiversity that will lead to greater acceptance.