neurodiversity

Personal Perspective: I worry that my autistic son spends a lot of silent time on the couch stimming. Should I be forcing neurotypical conversation?

The traditional clinical landscape of neurodiversity is currently undergoing a significant paradigm shift,transitioning from deficit-focused medical models toward "strength-based interventions." This evolution is driven by a growing recognition that individuals with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) possess unique cognitive architectures that, while diffe…

Progress has always been made by people who think differently. Neurodiversity helps us think outside the box – and when we do, the sky’s the limit One of my favourite pieces of scientific equipment is something called a retrospectroscope. I admit that it only exists in my imagination, but it has turned out to be a very useful bit of kit. It allows me to look back through the years of my life and …

This post is by Víctor Fernández Castro (University of Granada) and Miguel Núñez de Prado-Gordillo (University of Granada). It is based on their chapter “Embodied, embedded, enactive, extended… and exclusionary? Toward an inclusive E-Cognition for cognitive diversity,” published in Analytic Philosophy and 4E Cognition, which explores how 4E approaches can be made more inclusive of neurodiversity.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), encompasses a broad range of neurological and developmental differences that influence how individuals communicate, learn, process sensory input, and navigate social environments. A clear understanding of autism can help build more inclusive spaces, support better learning and wellness outcomes, and help neurodivergent patrons and families feel welcomed …

This paper formulates the concept of synesthetic science as an independent epistemological method. The point of departure is the observation that dominant scientific paradigms systematically exclude embodied, affective, and neurodivergent forms of perception as subjective, distorted, or methodologically unusable. This position is explicitly rejected here. It is shown that certain neurodivergent p…

This paper clarifies an epistemic structure that has so far been rarely made explicit in academic research practice: a recursive, embodied mode of knowing that does not arise through the additive integration of external discourses, but through the cyclical unfolding of structurally bound experience. The point of departure is the analysis of a singular, long-term developed research practice whose …

Research on autism and neurodivergence has produced a wide range of partial models over recent decades, including monotropism, hyper-systemizing, intense-world hypotheses, variants of predictive processing, theories of veridical mapping, and empirical descriptions of savant phenomena. Each of these approaches captures real aspects of neurodivergent cognition, yet they remain fragmented and fail t…

Savant phenomena are still regarded in cognitive science and neurological research as anomalies: as isolated island abilities, as exceptions within otherwise deficit-oriented cognitive profiles, or as curiosities that cannot be adequately integrated into established models of intelligence, learning, or representation. Despite extensive empirical documentation, there is a lack of a theory that exp…

Researchers say mainstream framing of the condition as a characteristic for success can be invalidating for those who are struggling Kirsty Brown is a keen golfer. “If I could just transport myself straight to the first tee, that would be amazing,” she says. “But getting there on time, remembering all my kit, making sure I’ve eaten before I play – all those aspects are more challenging than compe…

Calling all neuroscientists with disabilities! The ALBA Disability & Accessibility Working Group is creating a database to enhance representation, opportunities, and influence for disabled researchers. By joining, you can provide advice on accessibility-related initiatives, serve as a speaker or expert for conferences and workshops, or help improve policies and practices for inclusion in neurosci…

By: Amy K. Izuno-Garcia, PhD & Jeremy Jabbour, MS The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, with childhood diagnoses having increased by over 400% since the beginning of the century: 1 in 36 children in the United States... The post Improving patient care for autistic individuals through a neurodiversity lens appeared first on Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry …

Through its global mission, IBRO collaborates with like-minded organizations to raise public awareness about the importance of brain research.  In this article, we feature the ALBA Network that, in partnering with IBRO, supports our mission to promote inclusive, equitable, and diverse neuroscience worldwide. What is the ALBA Network? The ALBA Network represents brain researchers from […] The post…

This summary is provided by the IPR Organizational Communication Research Center and the IPR Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion based on the original study Dr. Maira Ezerins and colleagues examined the state of the neurodivergent workforce. They aimed to bridge the gap between the realms of autism theory and management theory, ultimately offering actionable … Continue reading Autism and …

As the only woman working with neuroscience in her department at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Dr. Lihle Qulu is familiar with the challenges women may face in the field. Discrimination, insufficient support, and impostor syndrome are just some of the difficulties she has pinpointed, not only in her country but also worldwide. While it […] The post IBRO Diversity Grants: Supporting d…

For CNC faculty Sheri Mizumori, strengthening the diversity of the neuroscience community nationally isn’t just about recruitment, it’s about retention. The statistics on retention of underrepresented scientists are not promising – as you move up the hierarchy of academia, from undergraduates to graduate students to postdocs to early-career faculty to tenured faculty, representation of scientists…

Digest #153: Neurodiversity in Education By Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel and Chiara Horlin For today’s digest I teamed up with Dr Chiara Horlin who is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Psychology at the University of Glasgow and an expert in neurodiversity and what role it plays in education. She has co-founded The Neurodiversity Network (see below) as a resource to support and represent neurodiverg…

Researchers often approach autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through the lens of what might “break down.” While this approach has value, autism is an extremely heterogeneous condition, and diagnosed individuals have a broad range of abilities. The Gabrieli lab is embracing this diversity and leveraging the strengths of diagnosed individuals by researching their specific “affinities.” Affinities […] …