How 'neurodivergent' became a word for many types of minds
Summary
The term "neurodivergent" has become widely used to describe individuals whose brains process information differently than what is considered typical. The word has been present since the late 1990s but became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and appears in both the Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionaries. It helps to recognize and discuss neurological differences inclusively.Key Facts
- "Neurodivergent" describes people with different ways of processing information compared to the societal norm.
- The term became popular around June 2020, during COVID-19 lockdowns.
- It originally emerged in the late 1990s and was included in the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2002 and the Oxford English Dictionary in 2019.
- Neurodivergence can be due to being born that way, experiencing head injuries, long COVID, or even engaging in practices like meditation.
- Online communities have helped spread the usage of "neurodivergent."
- The term is sometimes confused with "neurodiversity," which includes all people, even those considered typical.
- Kassiane Asasumasu, an activist, is credited with coining "neurodivergent" to describe those differing from societal norms.
- The concept aims to foster solidarity among people with different neurological processing patterns.
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