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Brenna Schulte

Professor Cutler

English 1201.506

17 April 2022

How do you diagnose neurodivergence?

With the advancement of technology, information has become easier to access and share.

Two decades ago, The Atlantic published one of the first papers about neurodiversity. Since then,

more awareness and research on the neurological differences among humans has been conducted

(Baumer). However, how does one become professionally diagnosed as neurodivergent?

After the 1990s, the meaning of neurodiversity would change for future generations after

Judy Singer, an advocate in The Neurodiversity Movement. This movement commenced in the

1990s and aimed to expand the definition of what was considered normal. It desired a

community that viewed those with neurological differences as humans rather than disabled. It

brought awareness to other disorders related to autism, including others like ADHD and

Dyslexia. Harvard Health states the importance of this movement for the framework of

neurodiversity research and diagnoses to help all neurodivergent people (Baumer).

The term originated from its relationship with autism to a broad inclusion of other

disorders. The disorders discussed with neurodiversity include autism, attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and many additional ones. While the symptoms all

vary, the repeated agreement is there are advantages and disadvantages among each (Bruise). To

properly diagnose neurodivergence, the most frequent recommendation is to talk to your

physician and pay close attention to behaviors exhibited in different environments.

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can range from minimum to severe. It incorporates

additional disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative

disorder, and others. Today, pediatricians have taken new approaches to diagnose ASD. The

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) lists the criteria

and symptoms for recent mental disorders. Observing this criterion and consulting with a doctor

can help get a proper diagnosis. By heading to check-ups around the age of two or three, there

can be early indicators of future ASD present ("Autism Spectrum Disorder”).

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another disorder categorized in the

DSM-5. It further breaks down ADHD into three subcategories, listing the guidelines for each.

Signs of ADHD can arise from early childhood to adulthood. For adults to be diagnosed, only

five of the six symptoms from the DSM-5 need to be present. This is due to symptoms being

expressed differently with age. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends

professionals follow the regulations provided in the DSM-5 (“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity

Disorder (ADHD)”).

Dyslexia focuses on the neuro differences in the brain with speaking, reading, and writing

skills. Therefore no screenings or blood tests can detect it. Instead, assessment tests are

commonly used to diagnose dyslexia. Within these tests, there are components to look at:

decoding, oral language skills, spelling, vocabulary, and others similar. Based on these tests,

doctors can detect where there might be a difference neurologically and diagnose (“Dyslexia”).

Disagreements surround the accuracy in the process of diagnosing these disorders. With an

increase over the years in mental disorders, it brings attention to the diagnosis process. With no

lab or blood test, it leaves it up to the doctor's judgment. Methods used vary among doctors,
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resulting in the possibility of a disagreement between diagnoses. As well as leaves room for

controversy regarding the process used to give the diagnosis ("Autism Spectrum Disorder”).

The term neurodivergent can have a negative connotation with it. It's labeling someone as

being different from normal. However, there are advantages to being labeled as neurodivergent.

They have been labeled “out-of-the-box” thinkers with their creativity. Compared to neurotypical

people, they excel at visual processing (Bruise).

There is no universal one-way to diagnose someone as being neurodivergent. It’s not as

simple as taking an ordinary lab test either, due to it mainly affecting the brain. However,

assessment tests and questionnaires have been beneficial in helping make a proper diagnosis.

With these results and looking at behavioral patterns in different situations, we now have a better

understanding. Taking all of this into consideration and comparing it to the DSM-5, we can make

proper diagnoses with the help of a professional. Overall, it’s important to keep up with your

yearly check-ups with your physicians so they can indicate any early signs of neurodiversity and

take the proper steps to treat it (“Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)”).

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Works Cited

"Autism Spectrum Disorder." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2021. Gale In

Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/PC3010999051/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid

=3d844c56. Accessed 23 Apr. 2022.

Baumer, MD Nicole, and MD Julia Frueh. “What Is Neurodiversity?” Harvard Health, 23 Nov.

2021, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645.

Brusie, Chaunie, and Dannell Roberts. “Neurotypical: All You Need to Know and More.”

Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Nov. 2021,

https://www.healthline.com/health/neurotypical.

“Dyslexia: Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic,

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6005-dyslexia#:~:text=Although%20dyslexia

%20is%20due%20to,words%20by%20sounding%20them%20out).

“Symptoms and Diagnosis of ADHD.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Sept. 2021,

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/diagnosis.html.
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