What is neurodiversity?

ThinkResearch · The MIND Project: What is Neurodiversity?

What is the Neurodiversity Project about?

The Neurodiversity Project is about acceptance, inclusion, belonging, education, awareness, understanding, and celebration of the variations of the human mind.

The Neurodiversity Project is a new initiative by The MIND Project, part of the Global Mental Health@Harvard, and funded by the Harvard University Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging that aims to make the Harvard community more neurodiversity friendly.

The project seeks to 1) reach out to the neurodivergent community at Harvard to learn about their needs and work with the appropriate Harvard entities to recommend steps to be taken to meet those needs, 2) create educational materials for the greater Harvard community in collaboration with the appropriate Harvard entities and Harvard-affiliated institutions 3) create awareness in the Harvard-wide community and social media about neurodiversity, 4) highlight the strength of the neurodivergent community, 5) communicate evidence-based information to a) HR concerning recruitment, and b) Harvard undergraduate and graduate schools about attracting students who are neurodivergent. We hope to expand the scope of our program as it develops.

What do we believe in?

We are all part of the natural diversity of the human mind, and even though we, neurodivergent individuals, are not part of the majority, we are still here.

There is infinite complexity and diversity in the ways that the human mind works, and every one of us contributes to this diversity. Although the world is largely structured for a majority, “neurotypicals,” who share similar cognitive and behavioral traits, there are also many who diverge from this.

There are differences that you see and others that you don’t. Just because you don’t see certain differences it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. This is especially true of conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella, which encompasses a large variety of neurotypes that diverge from the general population.

Fundamentally, the broader Neurodiversity Movement and the Neurodiversity Project from The MIND Project are initiatives founded upon the basis of inclusivity. This neurodiversity project encompasses all diversity of the human mind, particularly working to center and uplift the perspectives and experiences of neurodivergent individuals, who are often excluded and underrepresented. For us, inclusivity is a priority.

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Mental health conditions are not isolated categories. Even when a label is given (x), it lies within a wide spectrum, a neurodiversity spectrum, and we all lie somewhere on this spectrum.

The Neurodiversity Affinity Group is a space to promote neurodiversity-centered connection, belonging, and community building. Anyone interested in neurodiversity can join the group. Developed with and for the community, the group encourages open dialogue without judgment through monthly meetings and social events and provides opportunities to establish subgroups. There are no commitments or requirements – you can be as involved as you would like to be. The group is here to serve and support you!

Interested? Fill out this form!