The Untapped Value of Neurodiversity in a Climate Crisis

Neurodiversity is a concept that recognises and embraces the natural variation in human neurology, including differences in the way people think, learn, and process information. It acknowledges that individuals with neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent conditions have unique strengths and abilities that can contribute to society in significant ways.

Esther spent years as a specialist teacher and was the Managing Trustee of the Dyslexia Foundation of New Zealand for over 10 years where she was a strong advocate for challenging the ‘old’ societal view of neurodivergent individuals being deficit-based. The neurodiversity movement challenges this view by recognising that these individuals have a different way of experiencing the world and that their differences should be valued and celebrated rather than stigmatised and that the dominant neurotypical thinking can learn a great deal.

The importance of embracing neurodiversity becomes apparent when we consider the fact that neurodivergent individuals make up a significant proportion of the population. In addition to being a matter of social justice and inclusion, embracing neurodiversity is also important for promoting innovation and creativity. Many neurodivergent individuals possess unique strengths such as pattern recognition, attention to detail, and a tendency towards creative problem-solving. By embracing and harnessing these strengths we can begin to resolve many of the wicked problems we face today in Economics, Politics, Education and Wellbeing.

However, in order to fully embrace neurodiversity, there must be a concerted effort to shift organisational attitudes and dismantle the systemic barriers that prevent neurodivergent individuals from fully participating in our organisations. This requires a commitment to accommodating different ways of doing things that may challenge stereotypes or business as usual.

Neurodiversity isn’t just about individual differences but about creating a society that values and respects diversity in all its forms. By recognising and embracing neurodiversity, we can move towards a more inclusive and equitable society that celebrates and supports all individuals, regardless of their neurological makeup.

Neurodivergent individuals may be particularly well-suited for creative problem-solving, which is essential in addressing complex issues like climate change impacts, having a tendency towards divergent thinking, which involves generating multiple ideas and solutions to a problem. This type of thinking can be critical in developing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. 

Many neurodivergent individuals experience the world in a different way than neurotypical individuals, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of different systems and the impact of human actions on the environment.  The link between neurodiveristy and ecology may seem tenuous to you, but to me it’s obvious! I’m neurodivergent though! 

Ecology demonstrates how eco-systems are not just a collection of species, but are also relational systems that connect humans, as organic systems, with animals and plants – It stimulates an increased understanding that the world is fundamentally interconnected and interdependent. Ecological thinking requires a broadening of identity in how we see ourselves in relationship to the world around us. 

Adopting an ecological perspective entails altering the lens through which we perceive the world and ourselves. At the core of this shift is a change in focus, a moving away from egocentric (self) and anthropocentric thought (separateness) to include concepts of integration, awareness and holistic perception (interconnectedness), interestingly, many indigenous thinkers have this at the heart of their cultural values. It’s no easy cognitive task, but rather part of a transition in our developing capacity as humans. An antidote to this challenge is embracing neurodiversity, as ecological thinking becomes more and more crucial to designers of any discipline engaging with sustainability and holistic approaches to the possibilities of producing positive impacts as well as remediating past environmental damage.