If there is one word in the English language I distrust more than any other, it’s “neurodivergence”. Search Google News, and the word is everywhere.
If you look at the history and definition of neurodiversity, the definition is semi-qualified as a range of specific things. If you search “define neurodivergent”, you get a very much wider range of definitions and specifics. Consistency and clarity aren’t exactly the defining factors in the use of the expression.
However – This blurry, overused term is now the basis of HR management, personal descriptions, and support programs for neurodivergent people. It also means that people who don’t even understand the issues are now providing “services” to these people?
The expression “neurodivergent” is also now devolving into a sort of genus, like a biological family tree. It may include autism, ADHD, etc. In other words, it’s now a truly inexcusable blanket term for totally different conditions.
There is a technical description of neurodivergence which more or less reasonably defines it as “outside normal parameters”. That’s nice. Normal for whom? Is this yet another lowest common denominator thing? “…And the dumb shall lead”, again?
No thanks. With all due respect to the many actual neuroscientists and psychologists who fight daily against this sort of theoretical slopfest – This definition can’t work. It’s ridiculously broad. It’s like saying a giraffe is a neurodivergent elephant.
Everybody is to some extent neurodivergent. If you weren’t, you couldn’t even be an individual. You see why this term bothers me. Is this an excuse to create yet another obscene “norm” for humanity, yes or no?
This very casual approach will translate into actual therapy, “support”, (whatever that means) and intrusion on principle based on whatever parameters are set. We’ve already had two generations of psychoactive couldn’t-care-less evangelism treating kids and adults for god knows what, whether it exists or not.
This mass idiocy was done in the teeth of absolutely ferocious criticism from frontline professionals who didn’t believe a word of it. Given the utterly ridiculous immunity to criticism granted to so many incompetent fools by global media, not much was done about it.
Maybe it’s all the money for the meds…? Nah. Nobody would be such a skank as to want to make billions treating non-existent conditions with utter garbage, now would they?
What is the legal status of “neurodivergence”?
This is where it gets very interesting. A useless blanket term can be considered to be just that – It’s not any sort of actual applied science; just as a term of reference. It has no legal status.
…But it’s the catchword for a whole range of probably highly expensive services, required or otherwise? How quaint. So anyone can be deemed neurodivergent by shifting the parameters a bit or setting them so low that everyone needs “help”?
What happens if some presumably normal workplace psycho manipulates neurodivergence to discriminate against people they don’t like? See where this whole thing must inevitably go, and how?
The hell you say.
A single word can be used to clump together a lot of totally different, well-known specific conditions and create a demand for services? Buy this car. It’s never had wheels, steering, brakes or an engine, but you’re going to buy it. Same thing, really.
As absolute poultry feces go in terms of medical, psychological, or even basic grammatical definitions, this is dangerous. Eating poultry feces isn’t good for you. Paying for the privilege may not be good for you, either.
Nor, by the way, is all this lazy terminological ineloquence doing much good for anyone. Given that per capita mental health issues are at proportions that make COVID look puny, why are we indulging this added layer of equally fecal drivel?
Given also that mental health is one of the defining causes of the current triumphal state of Western culture, what’s so great about an added load of the proverbial?
“Human misery is an excuse to make money”. Yeah, we know. Find another hobby. Like, NOW.
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
