Breaking the Stigma: What Neurodivergent People Wish Society Understood

As someone who is deeply passionate about neurodiversity and advocacy, I’ve noticed that despite growing awareness, there is still a long way to go in understanding neurodivergent experiences. True inclusion doesn’t just mean awareness—it means respecting and valuing different ways of thinking, communicating, and learning.

From my own experiences and research, here are five key points that I believe neurodivergent people wish society better understood:

Neurodiversity is Natural and Valuable

Neurodiversity describes the natural variations in human brains—differences that aren’t flaws needing correction. Just like biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, neurodiversity strengthens society by bringing in unique perspectives, talents, and ways of thinking (Kapp et al., 2013). Instead of trying to “fix” neurodivergence, we should recognize its value and potential.

Communication Takes Effort from Everyone

Miscommunication between neurodivergent and neurotypical people isn’t one-sided. Research describes this as the “double empathy problem”—a mutual gap in understanding that exists because both groups process and interpret social cues differently (Milton, 2012). Instead of assuming that neurodivergent individuals need to adapt, we should recognize that true inclusion requires mutual understanding, patience, and empathy from both sides.

Masking Comes with a High Price

Many neurodivergent individuals feel pressured to hide their natural traits to meet social expectations. This process, known as masking or camouflaging, isn’t just exhausting—it takes a serious toll on mental health, leading to stress, burnout, and anxiety (Hull et al., 2017). Rather than expecting neurodivergent individuals to conform, society should work to create environments where authenticity is accepted and supported.

Strengths Are Often Overlooked

Neurodivergent individuals often possess remarkable strengths, including deep creativity, attention to detail, nonlinear problem-solving, and a unique way of seeing the world. How many breakthroughs in science, technology, and art have been driven by people who think differently? When we focus only on challenges, we risk overlooking these valuable contributions to society (Austin & Pisano, 2017).

Stigma Hurts Everyone, Not Just Neurodivergent Individuals

When we stigmatize neurodivergence, we don’t just limit individuals—we limit societal growth as a whole. Embracing neurodiversity means fostering creativity, innovation, and empathy, which benefits everyone (Doyle, 2020). Inclusion isn’t just about accommodating differences—it’s about recognizing their worth.

References (APA 7th Edition):

• Kapp, S. K., Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sherman, L. E., & Hutman, T. (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028353

• Milton, D. E. M. (2012). On the ontological status of autism: The ‘double empathy problem.’ Disability & Society, 27(6), 883-887. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.710008

• Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M.-C., & Mandy, W. (2017). “Putting on my best normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519–2534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5

• Austin, R. D., & Pisano, G. P. (2017). Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review, 95(3), 96-103.

• Doyle, N. (2020). Neurodiversity at work: A biopsychosocial model and the impact on working adults. British Medical Bulletin, 135(1), 108-125. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldaa021