"Neuro-divergence"?

[JohnBoy2000]

I intentionally linked a paper in the subforum before exploring "autism like traits/features in those without autism diagnosis", with the intention of referencing back to it, though it's so long ago it would take a while to locate it.

It alludes to this idea of autism being a "spectrum" where there's evident genetic implications, then "high functioning" autism formerly known as "Asperger's" which isn't as visually evident but there's a series of subtle features.

However that spectrum is so wide encapsulating so many potential symptoms, a good percentage of the global population could potentially fall onto it.

.........

This modern term "neuro-divergence" seems to reference these type of "a-typical" social/emotional/behavioural traits, without a diagnosis of any specific kind.

It could reference elements of ADHD behaviour.

Or just an unconventional viewpoint/position/neural-predisposition.

As to the paper above, it's contention was that the emergence of these "neurodivergent" traits was a function of "genetic evolution".
Kind of emerging with evolving times, an evolving society, evolving and more self-aware and cognitive orientated thought frameworks.

In neuroscience there's this additional concept of "transgenerational epigenetic heritability", which as best as I can gather, alludes to the passing on of traits ACQUIRED throughout ones lifetime and learning.
So through an adults developmental and adaptation phases, their genetic expression will modify itself, and the changes in their gene code via this modification (epigenetics), are heritable.

They will be passed onto their offspring............. i.e. not just their base or pre-disposed gene code that is passed down, but the actual modifications made to it through their development, they get passed down.

Which offers some kind of explanation as to WHY we're seeing these new "neurodivergent" traits emerge in more modern, more evolved times?

 

[S.J.B.]

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that these traits were always common, but in the past were dealt with in different ways. For example, somebody with what now might be classified as mild ADHD or autism might have had corporal punishment from their father or teacher to get them to act "properly". Many would have learned to mask (or grow out of, depending on how you look at it) behaviours that one might be encouraged to embrace or accept today.

I think a lot of people who would have previously just been considered inattentive and/or bad at school are now diagnosed with ADHD, and many who would have been considered nerdy, shy, and/or socially awkward are now diagnosed with autism. That's not to say these diagnoses are entirely social constructs, but they clearly overlap, at least on the margins, with normal personality variations. So "neurotypical" and "neurodivergent" have become fairly useless terms, especially given how many people claim the latter.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

"Normal personality variations".

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that these traits were always common, but in the past were dealt with in different ways. For example, somebody with what now might be classified as mild ADHD or autism might have had corporal punishment from their father or teacher to get them to act "properly". Many would have learned to mask (or grow out of, depending on how you look at it) behaviours that one might be encouraged to embrace or accept today.

I think a lot of people who would have previously just been considered inattentive and/or bad at school are now diagnosed with ADHD, and many who would have been considered nerdy, shy, and/or socially awkward are now diagnosed with autism. That's not to say these diagnoses are entirely social constructs, but they clearly overlap, at least on the margins, with normal personality variations. So "neurotypical" and "neurodivergent" have become fairly useless terms, especially given how many people claim the latter.

Were these traits always common?

Could well have been.

I guess the contention in that paper I mentioned was they were either emergent via modernization, or we're just taking note of them now.

Is "neurodivergence" becoming a trend of sorts?

There's this author called "Neill Straus" who wrote a book entitled "The Game", which became a real hit there for a little while amongst the more general male population, but he claimed that ultimately it's contents reflected the attempts of a "neurodivergent" to find a means to effectively socialize.

It was more of a cognitive strategy to pick up girls (I think he coined the term, "pick up artist"), versus relying on conventional predisposed personality traits I guess.

.......

It's interesting I guess cause, so much of positive neural function, DEPENDS on positive social function.
An example being, social isolation in the elderly is considered a massive exacerbator of neural degeneration.

But historically there really hasn't been any cognitive specific approach to addressing social function.

I guess it would make sense that a more cognitively oriented thinker (meaning that which potentially falls within the sphere of "neurodivergence"), would attempt to view socialization through a cognitive lens.

 

[Quasimoto]

I have Asperger's and probably have a perspective on this that goes off the grain.

However that spectrum is so wide encapsulating so many potential symptoms, a good percentage of the global population could potentially fall onto it.

Precisely. As science became more aware of and how to diagnose autism, autistic traits, etc, the spectrum of traits and requisites for diagnosis started to broaden. Then at some point, they started including other things like ADHD into the "neurodivergent" category (which I have strong opinions on, but won't elaborate in this post). While ADHD and autism do share significant comorbidities, so do autism and psychosis/schizphrenia and other disorders. They do not consider psychosis or schizophrenia as "neurodivergent".

Combine that with the modern trend of many Gen Z and younger folks seemingly becoming obsessed with self-diagnosing themselves, labeling themselves, sorting themselves into something, or some sort of self imposed handicap label to help them cope with whatever or to fit in with whatever group. Autism has become more of a trend and clique than a disorder to them (in my opinion).

This snowballed into this weird conundrum where "neurodivergent" started to lose it's meaning. If you add up all the people who are on the spectrum, ADHD, other disorders, or otherwise self identify as neurodivergent, it approaches if not surpasses 50% in the <25-30 year old population. This makes the term "divergent" lose it's intended purpose or meaning.

I feel like this is a unique example of when trying to be ultra inclusive, and/or extraneous people trying to psychologically coddle the youth and apply labels to them in effort to help, starts to backfire.

I think the two main factors here are a more vaguely defined and more liberal diagnosis of both autism and ADHD, combined with the internet influencing young people in the wrong way. As well as pharma companies pushing adderall on the kids, marketing, etc.

However, autism rates are certainly rising, and there must be a reason. Why? Nobody knows, but it's almost certainly related to modern technology/medications/lifestyles or other things that genetically influence humans over longer periods or acutely effect a fetus in a womb (edit: before anyone goes there, no, I'm not talking about vaccines...)

 

[JohnBoy2000]

One thing @S.J.B. mentioned above, historically those with distinct "neurodivergent" traits, probably would have been subject to some form of punishment to coerce them to "conform", or behave "correctly".

I actually see an example of this in a nephew of mine.

I have two nieces and two nephews, all of whom are between 4 and 7.

The two nieces are what you would unquestionably call, "normal". One nephew the same.

But the other nephew.......... first off he had some neurological and evident emotional/behavioural difficulties up until now, such as initially passing out if he experienced any kind of unfamiliar neurological sensation such as pain etc, head banging whilst sleeping (presumably for comfort), and being acutely emotionally volatile in social engagement/interactive settings.

He also gets absorbed in cognitive tasks such as puzzles and problem solving, something most kids enjoy, but he becomes deeply/unusually invested and absorbed in them.

He basically exhibits the behavioural signs of someone whom could be loosely referred to as, slightly "different".

My parents (his grandparents) who are very much "old school", being of the last generation, they can't help but take the attitude such that, "he just needs a good smack upside the head, get him to behave", if he's experiencing an emotional outburst (which he does constantly).

His mother (my sister) however, having a more understanding disposition, appreciates he just needs more care and attention especially during this stage of his development, and works tirelessly to accommodate that.

From my point of view, this accommodation is critical to his positive and healthy development, where as the historical approach of an obligation to conform, would only serve to exacerbate his volatile emotional/neurological state.

 

[JohnBoy2000]

"Standard personality variations"......... the issue with this is, as trivial as it may sound, these variations can often pose significant issues when it comes to many aspects of life and living, especially fitting in and functioning amongst the "status quo".

In society and groups, those who stand out and seem awkward, they typically don't do very well, ESPECIALLY in environments where so many groups or demographics are heavily mixed together.

Conversely in more forward thinking environments that cater to particular demographics, such as university (which tends to attract those with more vested intellectual aspirations), I believe one can often see those with neurodivergent qualities benefit a lot more, being a part of these.