Neurodivergence includes a wide spectrum of conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more, each manifesting in their own unique ways.
While we’re definitely getting better as a society at talking about these conditions, there are still a whole lot of misunderstandings about them that persist, which ends up creating unnecessary barriers and a whole lot of ignorance. It’s not only harmful to those who are neurodivergent, bur society as a whole, since it perpetuates stigma and misinformation. Here are just a few of the myths that need to be done away with ASAP.
1. Neurodivergence is just a trendy label.
Some people have started treating neurodivergence as a “trend” or something people say to get attention, but that’s far from the truth. Many neurodivergent people have dealt with their conditions for years, often without being recognised or understood. More diagnoses now are the result of better awareness and understanding—not some passing fad. Pretending it’s just a trend ignores the struggles that many people have faced for a long time.
2. Neurodivergent people can never be successful.
The idea that being neurodivergent automatically limits someone’s success is not only wrong—it’s insulting. People with neurodivergent conditions often excel in their fields because they bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Look at innovators like Einstein or Tesla. Being neurodivergent doesn’t hold people back; it reshapes how they achieve success. It’s about finding the right opportunities and environments that allow different kinds of thinking to thrive.
3. All neurodivergent people look or act the same.
Neurodivergence isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. For example, no two autistic people will have the same traits, and ADHD can look very different depending on the person. These conditions don’t present themselves the same way across the board. It’s not just about “how they act”—it’s about the individual person and how factors like their upbringing, culture, and personality shape how their neurodivergence shows up.
4. Neurodivergence only affects children.
There’s a common misconception that conditions like ADHD or autism are only relevant when you’re a child, and that you “grow out of it.” But neurodivergence is a lifelong thing. Sure, people develop strategies to cope as they get older, but the underlying traits don’t just disappear. Adults with neurodivergence face challenges too, and if they were undiagnosed as kids, these challenges can be even harder to navigate without proper support.
5. Neurodivergence is always obvious.
Just because someone doesn’t outwardly show their neurodivergence doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Many people mask their traits to fit in with societal expectations, which can make their struggles invisible to other people. The fact that someone seems “fine” on the outside doesn’t mean they don’t face challenges. Masking takes a toll, often causing stress and burnout, so don’t assume just because you don’t see it, it’s not real.
6. Medication is a cure-all for neurodivergence.
Sure, medication can help manage certain symptoms, but it’s not a cure. Neurodivergence isn’t something that needs to be “fixed”—it’s just a different way of experiencing and processing the world. Medication can assist in some cases, but it’s about providing support and allowing people to thrive in their own way, not trying to make them conform to a one-size-fits-all solution.
7. Neurodivergent people lack empathy.
This stereotype, especially about autistic people, wrongly suggests that they don’t care about anyone else. In reality, many neurodivergent people experience empathy deeply—they just express it in ways that might seem different. Misunderstanding their way of showing empathy doesn’t mean they don’t care. Many neurodivergent people report feeling overwhelmed by empathy, finding it difficult to navigate situations where they feel too much.
8. They just need to try harder.
Source: Unsplash This myth is harmful because it completely ignores the real challenges neurodivergent people face, like executive function issues or sensory overload. Telling someone to “just try harder” dismisses the fact that their brain works differently, and doesn’t take into account the structural and neurological challenges they face. It’s more effective to offer support, accommodations, and understanding, rather than reducing their experiences to simple advice that doesn’t take their needs into consideration.
9. They’re either geniuses or completely incapable.
Media portrayals often go to extremes, painting neurodivergent people as either brilliant savants or totally incapable. In reality, most neurodivergent people are somewhere in between. They have strengths and weaknesses just like anyone else. It’s important to focus on their individuality, not reduce them to a stereotype. They don’t need to be extraordinary to deserve respect and inclusion.
10. Neurodivergence is a modern phenomenon.
Some people think neurodivergence is a result of today’s lifestyle or modern world, but that’s simply not true. Neurodivergent traits have always been around—they were just misunderstood or labelled differently in the past. The fact that we’re recognising and diagnosing these conditions more now is a sign of progress in our understanding of human diversity, not evidence that it’s something new. The growing awareness is a good thing, but it’s important to remember that neurodivergence isn’t a “modern issue”—it’s been part of humanity all along.
