Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity as a term has been in use since the 1990s.  It is used to describe a group of conditions which correlate to how the brain is wired.  For this reason, they are covered under the Equality Act 2010 as a disability. 

Just as with everything in nature there are many different aspects to each condition both positive and negative.  None of which are related to intelligence.  For more information click on the links below

TSSA defines neurodiversity as a set of conditions for which the brain is wired differently.  Unfortunately, diagnosis usually comes with a label that includes the work ‘disorder’, a terminology that creates negative assumptions and prejudices.  The attitude is reinforced by media representation.  

It is best to view ND conditions as a normal part of a DNA diverse society.  A society that needs all forms of diversity (including neurodiversity) to fully function, thrive and grow.  TSSA advocates and actively work with the travel and transport industries, communities and activists to change attitudes and practices so that the impact of ND conditions are reduced and the strengths are brought forward. TSSA employs various people with differing ND conditions, one of whom heads up the national neurodiversity project.

It is useful to think of neurodiverse conditions as a set of ripples in a pond where you can’t have the next ripple without the preceding one.  Like the ripples, you can have one neurodiverse condition and elements of the preceding one.  This is why many people are diagnosed with more than one neurodiverse condition (co-occurring).