Tag Archives: neurodivergent

The problem with diagnosing each other with Autism and ADHD:

Great question — and a really important one in our current cultural moment where self-diagnosis and peer-diagnosis are common online and in everyday conversations.

There are several issues that come up when people start diagnosing each other (or themselves) with Autism or ADHD without professional training:

1. Oversimplification of Complex Conditions

Autism and ADHD are neurodevelopmental disorders with wide spectrums. The DSM-5 criteria involve more than just being “quirky” or “hyper.” These conditions affect multiple areas of life: social functioning, sensory processing, executive function, attention regulation, and more. Reducing them to a few relatable traits does a disservice to people who are significantly impacted.

2. Pathologizing Normal Behavior

It’s easy to mistake normal human variation — such as introversion, distractibility under stress, or high energy — for a disorder. Diagnosing someone casually risks turning everyday personality traits into medical labels.

3. Self-fulfilling Labels & Identity Fusion

Labels can stick. When someone is told “you seem autistic” or “you’re so ADHD,” they may internalize that identity — especially in formative years or moments of vulnerability. This can narrow their self-concept, change their behavior, or even increase symptoms through confirmation bias.

4. Misinformation & TikTok Psychology

On social media, complex conditions are often turned into bite-sized symptom lists like:

“If you like organizing your bookshelf a certain way — you might be

autistic!”

These oversimplified “tests” can be misleading and feed into a culture of misdiagnosis or trivialization of real challenges people face.

5. Stigma and Harm to Real Diagnosis

When the language of diagnosis becomes casual, it can lead to people not taking actual diagnoses seriously, and also marginalizes individuals who truly need accommodations and support. It can also lead to skepticism from professionals, making it harder for legitimately neurodivergent individuals to be believed or supported.

6. Missed Alternative Explanations

A person might struggle with focus not because of ADHD, but because of anxiety, trauma, poor sleep, thyroid issues, or stress. Assuming a diagnosis without a full assessment can cause someone to miss the real root of their difficulties.

Better Alternatives:

Psychoeducation: Learn about neurodivergence from reputable sources.

Encourage professional assessment rather than labeling others.

Be supportive and validating without trying to “name” what someone is going through.

Use descriptive language (“You seem overwhelmed in loud places”) instead of diagnostic labels.

Shervan K Shahhian

Pushing against your natural neurotype, what does that mean:

The concept of “pushing against your natural neurotype” refers to the idea of going against the inherent tendencies or preferences of your neurological or cognitive makeup. Neurotype generally refers to the unique way in which an individual’s brain functions, including cognitive strengths, weaknesses, and natural inclinations.

When someone talks about pushing against their natural neurotype, they might be referring to intentionally challenging or resisting their default ways of thinking, learning, or behaving. This could involve stepping out of one’s comfort zone, trying activities that don’t align with their typical preferences, or adopting cognitive strategies that may not come naturally.

The goal of pushing against your natural neurotype can vary. It might be a strategy for personal growth, learning, or adapting to new situations. By consciously engaging in activities or thought processes that go against the grain of one’s natural tendencies, individuals may discover new skills, develop flexibility, and broaden their perspectives.

It’s important to note that while pushing against one’s natural neurotype can be a valuable tool for growth, it’s also crucial to understand and appreciate one’s inherent strengths and preferences. Striking a balance between challenging oneself and leveraging natural inclinations can lead to a more well-rounded and adaptable approach to life and learning.

Shervan K Shahhian