Neurodiversity Why can this be a risk factor?
Neurodiversity can impact mental health if a neurodivergent young person faces discrimination, or if they aren’t given the correct diagnosis and/or support in education or at home. What do we need to know? Neurodivergence is the term for when a person’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered ‘typical’. It refers to the natural differences between and varying characteristics of a person’s neurodevelopmental conditions. Between 15% and 20% of the UK’s children and young people are thought to be neurodivergent (36). Neurodivergent young people may experience social and communication barriers that may lead to frustration and isolation. For example, what may be perceived as disruptive or inappropriate behaviour, such as stimming (a repetitive self-stimulating behaviour to help deal with emotions and self-soothe), can result in a young person being left out of social activities by their peers (37). Neurodivergent young people may experience social and communication barriers that lead to frustration and isolation. For example, what may be perceived as disruptive or inappropriate behaviour can result in a young person being left out of social activities by their peers. ‘Masking’ is a strategy to ‘disguise oneself’ so that neurodivergent young people ‘fit in’ better with neurotypical society and peers. Studies have shown that masking can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s mental health (38). Visit the Supporting a neurodivergent young person to learn how to adapt the Youth MHFA action plan.
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