🚨 Myth-Busting Monday: Neurodivergence Just an Excuse 🚨

Welcome to another edition of Myth-Busting Monday, where we challenge harmful misconceptions and replace them with facts rooted in understanding and empathy. Today’s myth is one that continues to stigmatize and marginalize neurodivergent individuals:

❌ Myth: Neurodivergence is just an excuse for laziness or bad behaviour.

Let’s set the record straight.

✅ Fact: Neurodivergent Brains Function Differently

Neurodivergence—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences—is not about motivation or intent. It’s about how the brain is wired.

Neurodivergent individuals often experience differences in:

• Executive Functioning: Challenges with planning, organizing, starting tasks, or managing time.

• Sensory Processing: Heightened or diminished sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, and other sensory input.

• Emotional Regulation: Difficulty managing emotions in ways that align with neurotypical expectations.

  
  

These are neurological realities, not character flaws.

Why This Myth Is Harmful

Labelling neurodivergent people as lazy or misbehaving:

• Invalidates their experiences

• Discourages them from seeking support

• Perpetuates stigma in schools, workplaces, and communities

  
  

This myth can lead to misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and missed opportunities for understanding and inclusion.

Let’s Lead with Compassion

Instead of judgment, let’s ask:

🔍 What support does this person need to thrive?

💬 How can we better understand their experience?