Understanding Neurodiversity: Different Ways of Experiencing the World
At The Kindful, we believe in supporting the different ways someone may experience the world.
In today’s blog I am happy to share a new framework I created to help do this—"Neurodiversity of Experience" a tool I've developed to help articulate the variables in neurocognition - how the brain and nervous system shape our personal experience.
What is Neurodiversity, Anyway?
We are using neurodiversity in the context of the neurodiversity paradigm - this refers to an understanding that there are natural variations in how our brains and nervous systems process information and respond to the world. And, just as biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, neurodiversity enriches our communities and workplaces with different perspectives and approaches.
The neurodiversity paradigm emerged from the disability rights movement and was proposed by Nick Walker, an autistic scholar. Unlike the traditional medical model that treats neurological differences as problems to "fix," the neurodiversity paradigm recognises differences as valuable parts of human diversity. There are many community contributors to the language and framing of neurodiversity and neurodivergence, including Kassiane Asasumasu who first used the term “neurodivergent”.
When exploring the topic of neurodiversity its common to encounter terms like:
Neurodivergent: Someone whose cognitive experiences differ from society's ‘dominant’ or neuronormative expectations. This might include people who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, or experiences such as mental health conditions.
Neurotypical: Someone whose cognitive styles generally align with social norms and expectations.
Language: It's worth noting that language around neurodiversity is personal and sometimes contentious. Some people proudly identify as neurodivergent, while others prefer different terminology. Both are valid—what matters is respecting individual choices.
It has also been proposed that an individual themselves is not neurodiverse, as neurodiverse refers to a spectrum of differences that exist. Some people find being referred to as “diverse” as a euphemism for being “different” is problematic.
Understanding Different Experiences
Our framework identifies nine key domains of neurodivergent experience. This isn't intended for clinical use but rather to offer language and structure to understand ourselves and others better, from strengths and preferences to difficulties and differences.
1. Sensory Processing
How we take in and process sensory information varies enormously between people. Some of us might be hypersensitive to sounds, while others might seek out intense sensory experiences. This domain includes:
Sensitivity variations (hyper/hyposensitivity)
Sensory seeking and avoidance behaviours
Processing of different sensory information (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste)
Internal body awareness (interoception)
Sensory overload thresholds and recovery needs
What some experience as a pleasantly bustling café with lots of exciting smells and opportunities for people watching - might feel overwhelming, too noisy, bright and exhausting to others. And neither experience is wrong – they're just different.
2. Cognitive Patterns
Our brains process information in wonderfully diverse ways:
Some focus deeply on one thing at a time (monotropic attention) while others easily manage multiple streams of thought simultaneously
Some excel at detailed analysis while others naturally see big-picture patterns
Processing speed varies greatly between individuals
Hyperfocus capabilities can be powerful strengths in the right context
Context switching might be seamless for some and challenging for others
3. Learning Style Preferences
We all absorb and retain information differently.
Visual learners thrive with diagrams and images
Auditory learners prefer spoken instructions and discussions
Kinesthetic learners need movement and hands-on activities
Some learn best through reading and writing
Others need direct experience or observation first
When we honour these different learning styles, we create environments where everyone can flourish.
4. Social and Communication
Communication styles vary widely across the neurological spectrum:
Expressive and receptive language processing differences
Varied approaches to understanding social rules and expectations
Different levels of social motivation and energy needs
Alternative communication preferences and methods
Unique ways of interpreting pragmatic language
5. Executive Functioning
The mental skills that help us organise, plan, and get things done:
Task initiation and completion approaches
Time perception and management styles
Organisation and prioritisation strategies
Working memory capacity variations
Planning abilities and needs
Transition management preferences
Many neurodivergent people experience difficulties with executive functioning, which isn't a character flaw but a difference that can be supported with the right tools and understanding.
6. Emotional Regulation
How we identify, experience, and express emotions varies significantly:
Emotion identification (including alexithymia – difficulty identifying feelings)
Intensity and duration of emotional experiences
Emotional expression differences
Self-regulation strategies
Rejection sensitivity
Emotional responses to change and uncertainty
7. Energy and Recovery
We all have different energy needs and capacities:
Energy allocation and management requirements
Cognitive, emotional, and social energy variations
Recovery needs after different activities
Burnout prevention and recovery approaches
The impact of masking on energy levels
This is where concepts like "Spoon Theory" help explain why some activities might be more draining for certain people than others.
8. Identity and Masking
How we understand ourselves and present to others:
Self-perception and awareness of neurodivergence
Masking behaviours and their impacts
Authentic self-expression
Disclosure decisions and experiences
Community connections
Integration of neurodivergent identity
Some neurodivergent people may "mask" or camouflage their natural traits to fit in, which can be exhausting and impact wellbeing over time.
9. Mental Health Considerations
Understanding what supports wellbeing:
The prevalence of trauma in neurodivergent experiences
Co-occurring mental health considerations
Impact of environmental stressors
Therapeutic approaches that respect neurodivergent experience
Self-advocacy strategies
Prevention approaches for mental health challenges
Why This Framework Matters
At its heart, this framework is about:
Shifting from judgement to understanding
Recognising diversity in how people may experience the world
Providing language to describe varied experiences
Creating environments that recognise the presence of neurodiversity
Embracing the strengths that come with with all neurotypes
Every person has a unique profile across these domains – there's no single "neurodivergent experience." By understanding this spectrum of experience, we can move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to create more inclusive, supportive environments for everyone.
Moving Forward with Kindness
Whether you're exploring your own neurodivergent identity, supporting someone else, or simply curious about the diversity of human experience, I hope this framework offers helpful language and structure.
The first step toward supporting neurodiversity is simply recognition – seeing and accepting different ways of being without judgement. From there, we can work together to create a world that embraces a range of experiences and experiencing.
Remember, neurodiversity or neurodivergence isn't something to "fix" – it's something to understand, respect, and celebrate as part of our shared humanity.
If you’d like to download the complete framework for free, you can find it on our resources page as a PDF.
