Summary: A new study highlights the need to recognize and celebrate the diverse skills of individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. The research advocates for a shift in perspective, focusing on strengths such as creativity, resilience, and problem-solving, rather than deficits.

The study emphasizes that acknowledging these enhanced skills can lead to reduced stigma and better outcomes in education and employment for those with neurodevelopmental conditions. The teams findings encourage a systematic review to further explore and validate the unique abilities associated with neurodiversity.

Key Facts:

Source: Swansea University

New research says the wide variety of skills displayed by people with conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia and autism should be celebrated to help reduce stigma and change societys expectations.

Creativity, resilience and problem-solving are just some of the strengths exhibited and a study is now calling for a change in the way we think about people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dr Edwin Burns, senior lecturer from theSchool of Psychologyat Swansea University, worked with academics from Edge Hill University on the study andtheir findingshave just been published by online journalNeuropsychologia.

The researchers say people with these conditions are almost always discussed in terms of the problems that they face.

They are often characterised by a range of associated cognitive impairments in, for example, sensory processing, facial recognition, visual imagery, attention, and coordination.

However,Dr Burns said:We would say that if only the wider public were aware that these groups exhibit many strengths and skills some which are actuallyenhancedcompared to the general population then this should reduce stigma and improve their educational and employment outcomes.

For the study, the team identified a wide variety of skills exhibited in different groups such as Williams syndrome, dyslexia, autism, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder, aphantasia.

These skills include improved social skills, creativity, problem-solving, resilience, and visual search.

The research also puts forward reasons why these skills occur such as genetics, experience adapting to the environment, repurposing the brain, and medication.

Dr Burns added:In our research we present a table of potential strengths across conditions, and we hope that this may act as a stimulus for a major systematic review in the future. This should help reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, instead promoting greater social inclusion and significant societal benefits.

Author: Kathy Thomas Source: Swansea University Contact: Kathy Thomas Swansea University Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access. Cognitive strengths in neurodevelopmental disorders, conditions and differences: A critical review by Edwin Burns et al. Neuropsychologia

Abstract

Cognitive strengths in neurodevelopmental disorders, conditions and differences: A critical review

Neurodevelopmental disorders are traditionally characterised by a range of associated cognitive impairments in, for example, sensory processing, facial recognition, visual imagery, attention, and coordination. In this critical review, we propose a major reframing, highlighting the variety of unique cognitive strengths that people with neurodevelopmental differences can exhibit.

These include enhanced visual perception, strong spatial, auditory, and semantic memory, superior empathy and theory of mind, along with higher levels of divergent thinking.

Whilst we acknowledge the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in neurodevelopmental conditions, we present a more encouraging and affirmative perspective of these groups, contrasting with the predominant, deficit-based position prevalent throughout both cognitive and neuropsychological research.

In addition, we provide a theoretical basis and rationale for these cognitive strengths, arguing for the critical role of hereditability, behavioural adaptation, neuronal-recycling, and we draw on psychopharmacological and social explanations.

We present a table of potential strengths across conditions and invite researchers to systematically investigate these in their future work. This should help reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, instead promoting greater social inclusion and significant societal benefits.

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Embracing Neurodiversity: Beyond Stigma to Strength - Neuroscience News