Neurodivergence vs. Disability: Understanding the Overlap and Distinctions

Rethinking Disability Beyond Stereotypes

When we think of disabilities, we often picture someone using a wheelchair or a person with blindness—conditions that create consistent and visible hurdles in daily life. These physical disabilities are typically easy for others to recognize and understand. Neurodivergence, on the other hand, is highly individualized and situational. The challenges that neurodivergent individuals face may not always be visible, but they are just as real and impactful.

The Nature of ADHD and Autism as Disabilities

While ADHD and Autism are not physical disabilities, they often manifest as an inability to feel calm, collected, or focused in a variety of situations. However, this is not a permanent state—neurodivergent individuals may be able to function effectively in certain environments but struggle in others. The key distinction is that it is not a complete inability, but rather a fluctuating capacity influenced by context, external stimuli, and personal energy levels.

The Myth of Consistency in Neurodivergence

A common misunderstanding from neurotypical perspectives is the assumption that if a neurodivergent individual can function well in one situation, they should be able to do so in another similar situation. This argument fails to consider that ADHD and Autism fundamentally alter how the brain processes external stimuli. What may seem like comparable environments to a neurotypical person could feel drastically different to a neurodivergent individual. These conditions cannot simply be "overcome" by force of will or logical reasoning—they are neurological in nature and deeply tied to an individual's sensory and emotional processing.

The Physical Manifestations of Neurodivergence

Although ADHD and Autism are often classified as cognitive or behavioral conditions, they can also contribute to physical disabilities or differences. Many neurodivergent individuals experience Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), a disorder affecting the body's histamine response. This can result in symptoms such as:

Painful or uncomfortable sensations throughout the body
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Upper respiratory congestion

These physical symptoms further blur the line between neurodivergence and traditional conceptions of disability, emphasizing the complexity of these conditions beyond their cognitive aspects.

Employment as a Measure of Disability in Western Society

In Western society, disability is often framed in terms of employability—specifically, whether an individual can "hold down a job" consistently over time. From this perspective, neurodivergence can be one of the most disabling conditions due to the inseparable link between employment and financial stability, healthcare access, and basic survival.

The job market often expects employees to dedicate a significant portion of their personhood to their job, valuing long-term commitment and schedule consistency. This expectation is particularly challenging for autistic individuals, whose self-driven nature and fluctuating energy levels may not align with rigid corporate structures. Many neurodivergent individuals struggle with job retention, not due to lack of skill or intelligence, but because traditional work environments are not designed to accommodate their needs.

Accommodations as an Affront to the Status Quo

The idea of workplaces accommodating neurodivergent individuals is often met with resistance, even scorn, as though it violates some sacred, unspoken rule of labor. This stems from a deeply entrenched cultural legacy shaped by ruthless pastoral expansion, where power was determined by who controlled the land and had the means to defend it. Those with capital dictated the rules, and survival depended on one’s ability to conform, endure, and compete under often brutal conditions.

Within this framework, the expectation of accommodations is framed not as a reasonable adaptation to human diversity but as an affront to the natural order—a sign of weakness, entitlement, or an unwillingness to "tough it out." This mindset persists in modern workplaces, where rigid structures designed for neurotypical efficiency leave little room for alternative ways of thinking and functioning. Instead of recognizing neurodivergent needs as valid and worthy of support, many employers and institutions see them as inconvenient demands that disrupt the status quo.

The Gap in Support for Low and Medium Support Needs Individuals

While high-support needs individuals may have lifelong disabilities that prevent them from verbalizing basic needs or living independently, low and medium support needs individuals face a very different set of challenges. They are often expected to provide for 100% of their financial, housekeeping, and transportation needs—whereas high support needs individuals are assumed to need full-time care.

This stark contrast in expectations reveals a significant gap in societal support. The failure to provide even minimal assistance to those with low and medium support needs means that a vast amount of potential is left untapped. Small accommodations and support systems could make a major difference in enabling neurodivergent individuals to thrive in work, home life, and social environments.

Recognizing the nuances of neurodivergence as a disability—and understanding that different levels of support are needed—can help create a more inclusive society that empowers individuals rather than forcing them into an all-or-nothing framework of dependence or complete self-sufficiency.