Defining Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term which encompasses those whose brains function outside what is considered the “norm”, namely Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but also dyslexia and dyscalculia. The term itself was coined by Australian Judy Singer, reflecting on the natural diversity within human neurology, likening neurodiversity to biodiversity (an important attribute within nature).
Representation of Neurodiversity in the LGBTQI+ community
The exact number of neurodivergent people in Australia varies from study to study and depends on the definition of ‘neurodiversity’ the authors use. It is also important to consider those who go undiagnosed due to the barriers of accessing an official diagnosis. Approximately 5% of Australians are reported to have ADHD and around 1% have ASD. Interestingly however, the rate of neurodivergence increases significantly if a person is within the LGBTQI+ community. Based on the limited research exploring the correlation between neurodiversity and queerness; 25% of people diagnosed with ASD were found to identify as gender-diverse in a study of over half a million people and 75% of those with gender dysphoria also have ADHD. Additionally, those with ADHD and ASD are more likely to identify as sexually diverse, one study found that almost 70% of people with ASD reported being “non-heterosexual”.
Neuroqueer:
The obvious overlap between neurodiversity and queerness has led to the term “Neuroqueer” (verb: neuroqueering) being used to describe those who sit within both these minorities. The term was first used by psychologist Dr Nick Walker in 2015 and has since been picked up by the community to acknowledge the unique challenges of navigating a neuronormative and heteronormative society when you are neither.
Having multiple marginalized identities has an accumulative effect on the barriers one is subject to including, healthcare, social acceptance, and discrimination. More specifically, are the implications being neuroqueer on mental health. Those who are neurodivergent are more likely to experience mental illness namely anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Similarly, those who are gender or sexually diverse have some of the highest rates of mental illness with 73% being diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime, compared to 44% of the general population in Australia.
Why the connection?
The exact reason why there is a connection between neurodiversity and queerness is not known, but there are some theories. It is important to note however that it would be incorrect to suggest that one directly causes the other. Rather, it is likely those who are neurodiverse have a unique perspective of the world, being more likely to question the societal norm they often don’t “fit” into. Neurodivergent people are more willing to question and explore their gender and sexual identities. Cate Osborn, an ADHD sex educator, suggest “Individuals with neurodivergence are predisposed to reject the rigidity of gendered expectations placed on them by society”.
So, as per usual, neuroqueerness is much more a reflection of society than anything being “wrong” with those who fall within this community. And this makes sense if you look at how the increased acceptance of the LGBTQI+ around the world has led to more young people identifying as nonheterosexual and noncisgender (similar to how left-handedness increased when it was no longer consider “cursed”). A 2021 survey of more than 19,000 people in over 27 countries found that 1 in 25 (4%) Gen Z (born after 1997) considered themselves to be gender diverse, and only 68% would consider themselves “hetreosexual”. This is in stark contrast to the generations before them such as Gex X (born between 1965 and 1980), only 1% considered themselves gender-diverse and 78% marked their sexuality as “Heterosexual”. Perhaps then, neuroqueerness is a result of neurodivergent people already rewriting the norms ahead of their neuronormative comrades.
Available Support
Nonetheless, living outside society's norms can be a lonely experience. There is access to free and non-judgmental support all over Australia that cater towards mental health, LGBTQI+ experiences and neurodivergence.
Q-Life: Non-crisis support line run by queer peers where you can chat about LGBTQI+ related troubles.
1800 184 527
ACON: Leaders in LGBTQI+ health and wellbeing, the offer resources, workshops and support for the LGBTQI+ community
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term which encompasses those whose brains function outside what is considered the “norm”, namely Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but also dyslexia and dyscalculia. The term itself was coined by Australian Judy Singer, reflecting on the natural diversity within human neurology, likening neurodiversity to biodiversity (an important attribute within nature).
Representation of Neurodiversity in the LGBTQI+ community
The exact number of neurodivergent people in Australia varies from study to study and depends on the definition of ‘neurodiversity’ the authors use. It is also important to consider those who go undiagnosed due to the barriers of accessing an official diagnosis. Approximately 5% of Australians are reported to have ADHD and around 1% have ASD. Interestingly however, the rate of neurodivergence increases significantly if a person is within the LGBTQI+ community. Based on the limited research exploring the correlation between neurodiversity and queerness; 25% of people diagnosed with ASD were found to identify as gender-diverse in a study of over half a million people and 75% of those with gender dysphoria also have ADHD. Additionally, those with ADHD and ASD are more likely to identify as sexually diverse, one study found that almost 70% of people with ASD reported being “non-heterosexual”.
Neuroqueer:
The obvious overlap between neurodiversity and queerness has led to the term “Neuroqueer” (verb: neuroqueering) being used to describe those who sit within both these minorities. The term was first used by psychologist Dr Nick Walker in 2015 and has since been picked up by the community to acknowledge the unique challenges of navigating a neuronormative and heteronormative society when you are neither.
Having multiple marginalized identities has an accumulative effect on the barriers one is subject to including, healthcare, social acceptance, and discrimination. More specifically, are the implications being neuroqueer on mental health. Those who are neurodivergent are more likely to experience mental illness namely anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Similarly, those who are gender or sexually diverse have some of the highest rates of mental illness with 73% being diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime, compared to 44% of the general population in Australia.
Why the connection?
The exact reason why there is a connection between neurodiversity and queerness is not known, but there are some theories. It is important to note however that it would be incorrect to suggest that one directly causes the other. Rather, it is likely those who are neurodiverse have a unique perspective of the world, being more likely to question the societal norm they often don’t “fit” into. Neurodivergent people are more willing to question and explore their gender and sexual identities. Cate Osborn, an ADHD sex educator, suggest “Individuals with neurodivergence are predisposed to reject the rigidity of gendered expectations placed on them by society”.
So, as per usual, neuroqueerness is much more a reflection of society than anything being “wrong” with those who fall within this community. And this makes sense if you look at how the increased acceptance of the LGBTQI+ around the world has led to more young people identifying as nonheterosexual and noncisgender (similar to how left-handedness increased when it was no longer consider “cursed”). A 2021 survey of more than 19,000 people in over 27 countries found that 1 in 25 (4%) Gen Z (born after 1997) considered themselves to be gender diverse, and only 68% would consider themselves “hetreosexual”. This is in stark contrast to the generations before them such as Gex X (born between 1965 and 1980), only 1% considered themselves gender-diverse and 78% marked their sexuality as “Heterosexual”. Perhaps then, neuroqueerness is a result of neurodivergent people already rewriting the norms ahead of their neuronormative comrades.
Available Support
Nonetheless, living outside society's norms can be a lonely experience. There is access to free and non-judgmental support all over Australia that cater towards mental health, LGBTQI+ experiences and neurodivergence.
Q-Life: Non-crisis support line run by queer peers where you can chat about LGBTQI+ related troubles.
1800 184 527
ACON: Leaders in LGBTQI+ health and wellbeing, the offer resources, workshops and support for the LGBTQI+ community
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