Positivepsychology iconPositivepsychologySep 21, 2026 ~1 min source read

What Is Neurodiversity & What Is the Neurodiversity Paradigm?

Psychology and psychiatry have long relied on diagnostic frameworks for understanding differences in human functioning. These frameworks remain deeply embedded in how we think about mental health and neurodevelopment today.

What Is Neurodiversity & What Is the Neurodiversity Paradigm?

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Psychology and psychiatry have long relied on diagnostic frameworks for understanding differences in human functioning.

These frameworks remain deeply embedded in how we think about mental health and neurodevelopment today.

When looking into what neurodiversity is, rather than focusing primarily on what's wrong and how we can fix it, we can also ask, "How does this person's brain work?

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The useful part

Psychology and psychiatry have long relied on diagnostic frameworks for understanding differences in human functioning. These frameworks remain deeply embedded in how we think about mental health and neurodevelopment today. When looking into what neurodiversity is, rather than focusing primarily on what's wrong and how we can fix it, we can also ask, "How does this person's brain work?

How it works

  • Under what conditions are they most able to thrive?" For therapists, coaches, educators, and other helping professionals, this perspective can ‌change what we notice, the questions we ask, and how we help...
  • Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our five positive psychology tools for free.
  • These engaging, science-based exercises will help you effectively deal with difficult circumstances and give you the tools to improve the resilience of your clients, students, or employees.

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The neurodiversity paradigm invites us to widen that lens.

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