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Neurodi-what?

Writer's picture: Ria MerinRia Merin

For the very first article on this website, I've decided to write about something that plagues a number of teenagers today; something prevalent, yet often unnoticed by many until a significantly later stage in life: Neurodiversity

 

Now the word neurodiversity simply refers to “a variation in the brain”, and serves as an umbrella term for multiple disorders including ADHD, autism, Specific Learning Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, dementia, OCD and Tourette’s. In this particular post however, I'd like to focus on mainly the first two, since they're often the most dismissed in regards to students and ones I have personally felt tied to.


Teens these days struggle with a lot on their plate, and from around the age of 14, begin to feel the pressures of both school and society weighing down on them. These responsibilities are already overwhelming for the average student, but for some, it can really thin the thread they don't realise they're hanging on to: late diagnosed neurodivergence.


Anyone who's anyone has almost definitely struggled with procrastination and meeting deadlines at some point in their lives, and like most, they eventually grit their teeth and do the thing anyway. Some may even notice Tumblr, Instagram or Pinterest posts joking around the subject and find them super relatable. And you know what? It’s hilarious.

Until they see the fine print in the caption, the #neurodivergence #ADHD #autism, and the smiles begin to fade.

 

Now I'm going to be completely honest, almost everyone with access to some form of social media comes across such content, and in most cases this is absolutely nothing to worry about. But then again, this is exactly what most kids don't want to hear. At a certain point, these posts start to seem a little too relatable and one begins questioning whether there is actually something larger at play, and when they finally start seeking answers, most of them are met with the exact same replies. "Everyone feels like this." "You're not the only one who procrastinates." "I can't focus in chemistry class either."


When in a majority of cases, these are right, dismissing one’s genuine concern for their mental wellbeing is one of the worst things you can do as a parent, teacher, or peer, and from this dismissal arises a wave of self-doubt and demotivation. This fear of not being taken seriously can prevent one from seeking the help and support they need, leading to prolonged suffering and a potential negative impact on their academic and personal lives.


Late diagnosed neurodivergence categorises cases where conditions like ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism, or dyslexia diagnoses are given out in one’s later teenage years or as a young adult, when it's usually meant to come to light in early childhood. While it may seem surprising that these conditions go unnoticed for so long, the reality is that neurodivergence can often present itself in subtle ways that may be mistaken for typical teenage behaviour or dismissed as a passing phase.


While to an external figure it may not seem like a major issue, the struggles these students face, such as difficulty with organisation, time management, and social interactions, are very real. These obstacles demand intervention, support, and most importantly recognition to help neurodivergent teens navigate the challenges of adolescence more effectively. In simple words, all they want is to feel validated. To receive attention. To be believed.

 

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