Understanding Neurodiversity: Strengths, Differences, and Overlap

Introduction

I've found that the language we use around neurodiversity is complicated and often confusing to people. 

I mean what really is the difference between Neurodiversity and Neurodivergent?

Well...neurodiversity is a way of understanding that human brains are all wired differently, we are all neurodiverse and have neurodiversity. This is just a natural and valuable part of being human.

However, someone who is neurodivergent will have what is often known as a spikey profile (e.g. real strengths in some areas, and perhaps challenges in others). The term is used to encompass all the conditions that you've probably heard of, dyslexia, ADHD, autism and dyspraxia.

For such a long time these individuals have been thought of through a deficit lens or at a disadvantage, and put into a box that stereotypes to their label. However, what is becoming more and more clear is that we should recognise the neurodiversity framework for both the challenges people may face and the unique strengths they bring, and recognise where these conditions over lap leading to each individuals needs.

The above map from Amanda Kirby shows beautifully how neurodivergent profiles should not be seen as isolated labels, but as interconnected experiences with shared traits, overlapping challenges, and common strengths.

Let's think about this in a bit more detail

Neurodiversity Is Not One Thing

The diagram highlights several common neurodivergent profiles, including:

• DLD (Developmental Language Disorder)

• Dyslexia

• Dyscalculia

• ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition)

• ADHD

• DCD / Dyspraxia

Each of these comes with its own pattern of differences (unique to each person). But take a look at the dotted lines between them are just as important as the labels themselves. Many people experience more than one neurodivergent profile, and traits often overlap which is why two people with the same diagnosis can look completely different in daily life.

Common Challenges (and Why They’re Often Misunderstood)

In my previous blogs I've discussed a few of the common challenges that neurodivergent individuals can face. And you'll see that across the map, there are reoccurring areas of difficulty across many of the neurotypes, such as:

• Processing and understanding information

• Attention regulation and impulsivity

• Time concepts and estimation

• Motor coordination, balance, and planning

• Sensory preferences and emotional regulation

• Learning new skills or retaining facts

It's worth remembering that these challenges are often context-dependent. So a person may struggle in school, work, or fast-paced environments but be fine working for themselves or in a different context. Remember this is not because of lack of intelligence or effort, but because the environment wasn’t designed for how their brain works, and this distinction is important

The Strengths at the Centre

At the heart of Amanda Kirby's diagram is a shared strengths profile, reminding us that neurodivergent brains often excel in ways that don’t always get recognised.

Common strengths include:

• Creativity and curiosity

• Deep focus on specific interests

• Analytical and systems thinking

• Empathy and emotional insight

• Humour and original connections between ideas

• Resilience and adaptability

• Entrepreneurial and innovative thinking

These strengths aren’t “despite” neurodivergence, they exist because of it and these are often overlooked in organisations.

Why Overlap Matters

If you take one thing away from reading this it is that neurodivergent traits don’t live in neat boxes, and so cliche as it is if you've met one person with ADHD, you've met one person with ADHD etc.

Remember that:

• Someone with dyslexia may also struggle with attention or time estimation.

• An autistic person may experience motor coordination challenges similar to dyspraxia.

• ADHD can overlap with emotional regulation difficulties seen across several profiles.

Understanding this overlap helps reduce stigma, oversimplification and stereotyping. It also helps people recognise themselves more clearly, particularly if they've never felt like they quite fit one of the labels.

Moving From Labels to Understanding

I'm not saying that labels are wrong. They can be hugely helpful to unlock support, accommodations, and self-understanding. But they should never be used to limit expectations or define someone’s potential.

A neurodiversity-informed approach asks better questions:

• What environments help this person thrive?

• What strengths are being overlooked?

• How can systems adapt instead of forcing individuals to mask or burn out?

Final Thoughts

This blog hasn't been about denying difficulties, and it’s not about romanticising struggle either. It’s about understanding, awareness and helping us to see the full picture, the challenges, strengths, overlap, and humanity.

When we move away from rigid definitions and toward curiosity and compassion, we make space for more people to succeed as they are, not as they’re expected to be.

And honestly? The world needs that kind of thinking more than ever.