What’s Neurodiversity and Madness?

Terms to know

Neurodiversity- The natural variation of neurocognitive functioning in our species. The fact that each of our neurologies are infinitely different.

Neurodiversity Movement- The idea that Neurodiversity is a natural part of human diversity. That there is no “normal” brain and our neurologies can serve as a key facet of our identity.

Neurodivergent- A person whose brain functions and/or behaves differently than the socially accepted norm.

Neurotypical- A person whose brain functions and/or behaves similarly to the socially accepted norm.

Pathologize- To regard or treat someone or something as psychologically abnormal or unhealthy.

Mad- Patholigized people who fight to reclaim the word Mad as an identity. This is similar to the way Queer has be reclaimed for many people. Mad folx are often psychiatric survivors – those who have been through and abused by the Psy-Complex – who fight for self-determination in the place of a system that takes away autonomy.

(Dis)ability and Disability- (Dis)ability refers to social systems that categorize and rank different bodies and minds. Disability refers to those whose bodies or minds have been marginalized outside of the norm within the larger system of (Dis)ability.

For a deeper look into terms relating to Neurodiversity check Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions By Nick Walker

For a detailed primer with a list of further reading check Lydia Brown’s Primer on Autistic Hoya

Additionally, I have put together a rolling list of resources and writings about Neurodiversity, Madness, and (Dis)ability. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but rather an assortment of pieces that I have personally found useful, and hope you do too. Check it out here at Resources