THE DAILY GRIND NUTRITION
Nutrition counseling for mental health and neurodivergence
NEURODIVERSITY
TERMINOLOGY & CONCEPTS
Upon navigating this website, you may encounter some unfamiliar terms, concepts, or acronyms. Below, I've listed many of these for your reference.
The following glossary of terms is adapted from an article written by Dr. Nick Walker (she/her), an autistic professor of psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
If a term, concept, or acronym is missing from this list that you would like to see added, or if there’s anything you’d like to enquire about, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I am always happy to help.
NEURODIVERSITY
Neurodiversity is a biological fact. The term refers to the natural diversity of human minds and the "infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species." (Judy Singer, 1998).
THE NEURODIVERSITY PARADIGM
A perspective that argues that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of human diversity and that divergent brains should exist in harmony with neurotypical brains, without judgment. The idea that there is one “normal” type of brain or one “right” style of neurocognitive functioning, is a culturally constructed fiction, no more valid than the idea that there is one “normal” or “right” ethnicity, gender, or culture.
THE NEURODIVERSITY MOVEMENT
A social justice movement that seeks civil rights, equality, respect, and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent.
NEURODIVERGENT (ND)
Having a mind that functions in ways that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of “normal.”
NEURODIVERGENCE
Refers to the state of being neurodivergent. A person's neurodivergence can be largely genetic and innate, or it can be largely produced by brain-altering experience (i.e. traumatic brain injury or long-term drug usage) or some combination of the two. This can also be referred to as acquired neurodivergence
NEURODIVERSE
A group in which multiple neurocognitive styles are represented. For example, the student body of a school would be neurodiverse if some members were neurotypical (see "neurotypical" for definition) while others were Autistic, dyslexic, or ADHDers.
NEUROMINORITY
A population of neurodivergent people who share a similar form of innate neurodivergence (inseparable from who they are) who tend to be responded to by the neurotypical majority with some degree of prejudice, misunderstanding, discrimination, and/or oppression. For example, the Autistic community is a neurominority.
MULTIPLY NEURODIVERGENT
A person whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in more than one way. For example, a person who is Autistic, an ADHDer, and dyslexic.
NEUROTYPICAL (NT)
The opposite of neurodivergent. Refers to having a style of neurocognitive functioning that falls within the dominant societal standards of “normal.”
NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING
A manner of conducting oneself in which one prioritizes valuing and respecting the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of their cognitive differences.
NEURONORMATIVE
Refers to how society deems certain neurological and cognitive processing and functioning as ‘normal’, ‘accepted’, and ‘typical’, and asserts such ‘typical’ processing is ‘desirable’, ‘natural’, and ‘preferable’ to those who are non-conforming.
NEUROTYPE
A type of brain, in terms of how a person processes, interprets and responds to the world around them (i.e. social cues, sensory input, etc.)
THE UMBRELLA OF NEURODIVERSITY
Neurodivergent is an umbrella term for anyone whose mind or brain diverges from what is deemed "normal" by society. The term is inclusive, rather than exclusive and embodies a wide spectrum of diverse innate, and acquired differences. Below is a graphic demonstrating this diversity.
*It is important to note that identifying as neurodivergent is up to the individual.
@dailygrindnutrition_