What is Neurodiversity?
“the notion that conditions like autism, dyslexia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) should be regarded as naturally occurring cognitive variations with distinctive strengths that have contributed to the evolution of technology and culture rather than mere checklists of deficits and dysfunctions.”
- Steve Silberman in NeuroTribes: the Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
Neurodiverse Relationships
When one or more partner in a relationship is neurodivergent, the relationship is neurodiverse (or cross-neurotype). Same goes for groups of people - if there is one or more neurodivergent person in the group, the group is neurodiverse.
Individuals who are not neurodiverse are referred to as neurotypical. Relationships or groups that are compromised of all neurotypical people are described as neurotypical.
Why does any of this matter in couples counseling?
Neurodiverse couples often find it beneficial to work with a provider who is well versed in relationship dynamics from a neurodiverse lens.
An unfortunate reality familiar to neurodivergent folks is that our world and systems were built for from a neurotypical lens. Neurodivergent characteristics, behaviors, and relational patterns can sometimes be misdiagnosed or misunderstood by providers if they are looking through a neurotypical lens.
