Neurodevelopmental disorders are disorders that are associated with the overall development and functioning of the brain. These disorders can affect learning, behavior, and emotions. Below is a summary of ten well-known neurodevelopmental disorders written in plain language and with a touch of comedy.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism is like having a friend who prefers to do things in his or her own way. The symptoms of ASD include communication difficulties, difficulties with change, and restricted or special interests. They could be good at stuffs like math, drawing etc. Well, just think of a person who knows all the train schedules but cannot strike a conversation with anyone. Sometimes, individuals with ASD may not wish to participate in collective engagement, but they are gifted and have special views.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is like being the super active, hyper and easily distractible kid that no-one wants to be around. ADHD is characterized by difficulties in sustaining attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. They are mostly very energetic and have so many ideas as if they are an ever-popping popcorn kernel. They may begin many projects but fail to complete them. Their brains are as cars with very high horsepower but without breaks; they are always moving and thinking of something new.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disability that renders reading and writing as difficult as solving a puzzle with scrambled pieces. Dyslexia affects an individual’s ability to read, spell and write, despite having the same intelligence level as the next person. For instance, they may perceive the word ‘cat’ but interpret it as ‘tac.’ Well, we have famous people like Einstein who suffered from dyslexia but were still intelligent. School can be challenging for learners with dyslexia, but if encouraged, students with dyslexia can excel as they learn differently, and even think in pictures at times.
Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is as if the brain shouts ‘Math? No way!’ The disorder interferes with the ability to comprehend numbers and arithmetical calculations. Math problems could appear to be complex or cluttered. Consider a person who may face challenges counting, telling the time but is perfectly capable of figuring out how many slices of pizza they are allowed to eat. The dyscalculia sufferers can also cope with the difficulties they experience and achieve success in various aspects of life.
Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia makes the writing process seem like a messy problem. Dysgraphic individuals are unable to write legibly, spell properly, and express themselves on paper coherently. In particular, it is as if there’s a disconnect between their brain and their hand. Dysgraphia is when you write a note and it looks like it was written by a chicken or a three-year old. Some people with dysgraphia write so poorly that their ideas are difficult to decipher, but they are normally great thinkers who require some assistance in putting their thoughts on paper.
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is like having a little parrot in your head that makes you swear or jump without wanting to. It is characterized by tics that are sudden, rapid, and involuntary movements or vocalizations. It is like being told to remain still but at the same time your body continues to force you to do the hokey pokey. Tics may be as basic as blinking or as complicated as making sounds. It is also important to note that individuals with Tourette Syndrome are also able to control their tics and live normal lives.
Intellectual Disability (ID)
Intellectual Disability implies that learning and skills necessary for daily functioning take time to develop. Individuals with ID may require additional assistance in areas such as solving tasks, interpersonal interactions, and daily living tasks. Such children may be slow learners but they always have ways and means of spreading joy and being kind to others. Imagine them as the sweet souls that teach us to cherish little things in life. They might feel they require assistance in something but they are also touching and useful.
Communication Disorders
Poor communication skills or impaired language and speech characterize specific learning difficulties. In today’s world, it will be likened to having a brain that does not respond to the language of other people. This can be represented by speech impediments such as stuttering, slurring of words or even difficulty in comprehending spoken language. Here one can try to imagine how it would be to speak when your words are still trapped in a traffic jam. Providing support and taking time to understand individuals with communication difficulties, they too can communicate in an optimal manner as they present their own perspectives.
Specific Learning Disorder
This is a general term that refers to difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, and other related learning problems such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. It feels like one can have difficulties in certain aspects of learning and yet overcome other areas. Just think about it, it is as though a person were to run a marathon race with one shoe on; it may not be easy but it is doable. Turning to the concept of learning disorders, it is important to note that individuals with those problems can also function very effectively if they are given appropriate instruction. It is important to note that the said children also possess special abilities and skills in some other fields apart from academic ones.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
DCD, otherwise known as dyspraxia, affects the coordination process in an individual. It’s as if one does not have any feet to dance with all the time. Activities may include ordinary everyday activities and tasks that DCD individuals may find it difficult to do; for instance, tying shoelaces, or cycling. Think of design in some wonderful art but the individual can also spill paint during the process. Using proper practice and persistence, they will be able to establish co-ordination skills and do well in the other areas.
To summarize, neurodevelopmental disorders exist in various forms and offer a range of impacts on the affected individuals. Knowledge of them assists us in the provision of care and encouragement of the people who have to endure these conditions in their daily lives. The brain is different in every person – some are just born with added personality and bonuses, like having a flashy new toy that has hidden tricks and features. However, if a society can accept and appreciate oddity and embrace individuality, it would grow to welcome the peculiarities that set everyone apart.
