Why Can’t the ‘Neurotypical’ Get Along?

Personal Perspective: Variance in neuro-functionality challenges our interactions.

KEY POINTS

  • Variance in neuronal microcircuitry leads to cognitive and behavioral divergence between individuals.
  • There is much cognitive/behavioral diversity among those a society would consider “neurotypical.”
  • Diverse neuro-functionality can lead to misunderstanding and antipathy between individuals.
  • Accounting for variation in neuro-functionality might facilitate positive interpersonal interactions.

For most people, major neurological pathways develop, connect up, and function, similarly. Between all of us, there is a consistency in neurological anatomy and physiology. From this, there result bell-shaped curves (defined or not) for the myriad of human neurological functions (cognitive and physical). For most individuals, most neurological functions fall within some standard deviation of a mean. Within a society, certain functionalities will be valued more than others. Thus, for said functionalities, staying close to the mean, or exceeding it, will contribute to success within the society.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE on Psychology Today