The Neurodiversity Paradigm

Just as biodiversity is critical to the health of ecosystems, neurological variation is not only natural, but is central to our success as human beings. 

The neurodiversity political movement seeks to call out and challenge social institutions which perpetuate the oppression of people whose neurocomplexities are outside of the majority.

The neurodiversity paradigm does not reject accepting accommodation or supports. In fact, this paradigm accepts that nature is not perfect and some adaptations or changes result in problems for those individuals.

What it this paradigm does reject is the old assumption that different automatically means worse or less-than. The neurodiversity movement demands that all individuals be seen as valuable, and the gifts that come along with our differences be celebrated.

Variation and difference are neither inherently good nor bad. What sets us apart can make us great while also making our lives more difficult. 

-Jillian Enright, CYW, BA Psych.

Neurodiversity Manitoba