Neurodiversity and the Creative Industries
In short, Neurodiversity describes the natural, unique ways in which all of our brains develop.
It highlights that there is no one ‘normal’ way of thinking, learning, communicating, processing information, or behaving: and that small, biological differences in cognitive function, deeply shaped by the unique context of each individual’s life, are simply parts of a whole that form to create our diverse and interesting world.
Different, Not Less.
- Temple Grandin
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Common Neurodivergent Identities
Though there is no one ‘right’ way for human brains to be organised and developed, people with similar ways of thinking, communicating, learning, and processing information can have a sense of shared identity or experience, identified and/or diagnosed as one or more neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, Tourette’s Syndrome, and others.
Check out our tab on Defining Differences to learn more about these!
‘Neurodivergence’ as an umbrella term is broad, and the conditions that fall under it vary depending on interpretation.
Additional neurodevelopment conditions such as Intellectual Disabilities, mental health conditions such as depression and personality disorders, and acquired differences from brain trauma are all considered by many advocates of neurodivergence to full under its definition: each representing human variation in development, behaviour, thinking, and communicating; each difference contributing to our beautiful world.
Creative Industries: Our Perfect Home
It’s not surprising that, given our often unique skills in imagination, out-of-the-box thinking, and hyperfocus, that the creative industries can, and should, be the perfect home for those of us who see the world in different ways.
Check out how our survey respondents felt that their neurodivergence has benefitted their roles in the sector:
