Neurodiversity: 5 forms of atypical functioning

1) Asperger syndrome

Psychopathological descriptions of Asperger syndrome (classified internationally among Autism Spectrum Disorders) emphasise difficulty communicating with others, forming friendships and tolerating certain sounds or other sensory stimuli. These descriptions say little about the positive characteristics of Asperger syndrome, including:

• Their honesty and desire to be fair,
• Their different intelligence (for example, Elon Musk announced in 2021 that he has Asperger syndrome),
• Their distinctive memory, especially for details that others forget,
• Their ability to concentrate, particularly when working on the subject that interests them most.

Many mental health practitioners (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, etc.) have a poor understanding of Asperger syndrome. Even today, many people with Asperger syndrome hear professionals say: “You cannot have Asperger syndrome because you look me in the eye.” Although eye contact often has distinctive features in Asperger syndrome, these may take forms other than avoiding eye contact; they may have been present in the past but no longer be apparent; and they are not a necessary diagnostic characteristic. There is therefore still much to do to reduce prejudice towards people with Asperger syndrome, even among mental health professionals.

2) High Emotional Potential

Neurotypical people tend to perceive people with High Emotional Potential (HEP) as too sensitive, too empathic, too intense, or too expressive of their emotions. As a result, many people with HEP feel rejected. Yet HEP is an asset, a talent characterised by:

• A very subtle ability to identify other people’s emotions,
• An ability to distinguish their own emotions,
• An immediate, intuitive understanding of situations and other people’s behaviour,
• An ability to soothe others.

Here too, many mental health practitioners have a poor understanding of High Emotional Potential. Some still believe, for example, that there is only one form of intelligence: cognitive intelligence (assessed through IQ). Yet emotional intelligence (which is exceptionally high in people with HEP) was discovered and described in 1989! Recognition of this essential form of intelligence is therefore considerably overdue.

3) High Intellectual Potential

Many neurotypical people find people with HIP to be too sensitive, too active, too scattered and out of step. As a result, many people with HIP think of themselves as too intelligent to be happy, to borrow the title of Jeanne Siaud-Facchin’s book. Yet once identified, HIP can become a strength and a valuable asset for life, particularly through:

• Excellent short- and long-term memory,
• Highly developed logical reasoning abilities,
• An ability to think in images,
• An ability to think and work much faster than others.

Few psychologists know High Intellectual Potential well. Some deny the profound difference it creates by saying: “You are intelligent—you cannot seriously tell me that is a problem!”

4) ADHD

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is another form of neurodivergent functioning. Many people with ADHD feel rejected by others, who find them too impulsive, inattentive, energetic or unable to listen. Yet ADHD is also associated with positive characteristics and talents, including:

• Often abundant creativity, combined with a rich imagination,
• Hyperfocus: the ability to concentrate intensely on a subject that interests them,
• Considerable energy,
• An ability to take risks.

This neurodivergent form of functioning is also poorly understood by many mental health professionals, who may say: “It is just a fashionable diagnosis”—even though difficulties paying attention and/or keeping still have a considerable impact on children and adults with ADHD.

5) Specific learning and developmental disorders

The specific learning and developmental disorders include dyslexia (reading difficulties), dysorthography (spelling and written expression difficulties), dyspraxia (significant coordination difficulties), dyscalculia (calculation difficulties) and dysphasia (language difficulties). They can cause considerable anxiety and lower self-esteem.