What if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?
For centuries, society has defined intelligence in a strict, one-size-fits-all way—favouring those who follow the rules and discouraging those who think differently. But what if the greatest minds in history were the ones who didn’t fit that narrow frame? What if the very traits we often try to correct—restlessness, deep focus, and unconventional thinking—are actually what drive human progress?
Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17–23) challenges the idea that there is a “right” way to think, learn, or communicate. Instead of treating neurological differences as disorders, it urges us to see them as part of human evolution itself.
The World is Full of Different Brains
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for a vast spectrum of cognitive differences. Some brains are wired for pattern recognition and deep focus (autism). Others thrive on constant motion and rapid idea generation (ADHD). Some excel at big-picture thinking while struggling with numbers (dyscalculia). Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia—each brings its own challenges, but also its own strengths.
Yet, even with an estimated 15 to 20 percent of the global population being neurodivergent, myths and misunderstandings persist. Schools still punish kids for being “too distracted.” Workplaces still mistake different processing styles for inefficiency. Society still sees difference as something to be “fixed” rather than embraced.
Research indicates that violence against children with disabilities occurs at annual rates at least 1.7 times greater than for their peers without disabilities.
As Steve Silberman, author of NeuroTribes, puts it:
“Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general.”
The Cost of Ignoring Neurodiversity
The world isn’t built for neurodivergent individuals, and the consequences are stark. According to the United Nations, 90% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school. Many of them are neurodivergent but lack the support they need to prosper.
Even in wealthier nations, the workforce remains unwelcoming to different thinkers. An estimated 85% of autistic adults are unemployed or underemployed—not due to a lack of skills, but because traditional hiring favors eye contact over competence and small talk over innovation.
The Science is Clear: Inclusion Works
When neurodivergent people are supported, the results are astounding because:
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Early intervention can increase IQ by up to 17 points for children with autism.
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Companies that embrace neurodiverse hiring see a 30% boost in productivity and innovation.
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A 2022 study found that assistive technology (AT) has many benefits for students, with better accessibility and inclusion improving by more than 20% each.
This is why AI-driven platforms like Enara can bring about such a big change. Instead of forcing neurodivergent children into rigid educational models, they adapt to the child. Personalized learning paths, early detection tools, and real-time insights ensure that children with autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome receive support that works for them throughout their lifetime.
From Awareness to Action
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is more than a hashtag. It is a call to redesign the world so that everyone, regardless of how they think, can live, learn, and work without barriers.
Lewis Capaldi is open about his Tourette’s. Richard Branson credits his dyslexia for his success. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Temple Grandin—history is shaped by minds that refused to think in straight lines.
So, what if the next great innovator, artist, or scientist isn’t struggling with intelligence, but with a system that refuses to recognize their genius?
The future isn’t about fitting minds into outdated molds. It is about making space for every mind to thrive.
