Neurodivergent Community

In the last few months, there’s been a noticeable surge in articles, commentary, and attitudes that push back against the neurodiversity movement. From casual criticisms to more insidious narratives, we’ve seen dyslexia, autism, and ADHD come under fire in ways that are misinformed, narrow-minded, and in many cases—harmful. Once again, it falls to the neurodivergent community to step up and set the record straight.

Just last month, The New York Times published a truly frustrating article on ADHD. Many in the community called it out immediately. One person even described it as “journalism by omission”—and they weren’t wrong. It lacked nuance, ignored key facts, and fed into damaging stereotypes. The response? It took Dr. Russell Barkley—one of the leading authorities on ADHD—to create not one, but four separate videos to push back and correct the misinformation. You can find those here: Dr. Russell Barkley Responds.

ADDitude Magazine, a well-respected source within the ADHD community, also released a compelling rebuttal of their own: Read ADDitude’s Response. And now, just when we hoped for better, The Times of Malta has stepped into similar territory—publishing an article where two psychiatrists raised concerns.

So let’s break it down. Let’s take a closer look at what’s being said, and more importantly, what’s being left out.

Fear of Overdiagnosis, Online Self-Testing, and the “Epidemic” Narrative

The first third of the article leans heavily into fear. There’s concern about an “epidemic” of overdiagnosis, people self-diagnosing online, and how social media is supposedly “fueling the problem.” But let’s slow down and really unpack that.

First, we need to acknowledge a very real and ongoing issue: there are countless people who have been missed and remain undiagnosed. And this didn’t happen by accident.

Let’s consider why: (Some of these points were addressed in the 2023 study and in my post about the study)  

• Our education system isn’t equipped. Teachers aren’t trained, schools lack resources, and there’s often no protocol in place to identify or support neurodivergent students.
• Families can be in denial. Many parents fear their child will be labelled, discriminated against, or harmed emotionally by a diagnosis. That fear can lead to avoidance.
• The medical community itself is struggling. There simply aren’t enough psychiatrists trained in ADHD. There are long wait times, outdated assessment tools (especially for adults), and a massive gap in understanding when it comes to how neurodivergence shows up in women.

In fact, 75% of women with ADHD or autism remain undiagnosed. Why? Because the research is only just catching up. For decades, it focused almost entirely on young white boys, leaving everyone else behind.

And let’s not forget the cost barrier. Assessments and treatment are expensive. This further excludes entire populations from access to support.

So when someone claims there’s an “epidemic,” what they’re actually pointing to is a long-overdue wave of people finally being seen. And that’s not a crisis—it’s progress.

Dr. Tony Lloyd on the Real Issue: Lack of Public Health Education

Let’s talk about what’s really going on. Back in September, The Hidden 20% podcast featured Dr. Tony Lloyd, CEO of the ADHD Foundation UK. In the episode, he addressed this exact issue around the so-called “epidemic,” particularly in relation to online resources.

Here’s what he said:

“In the absence of any decent quality public medical health information from the national health services or decent quality information about different neurotypes in our education system, then of course they will go and search for information because they want to understand themselves. That’s integral to the human condition.”

Exactly. If people can’t access accurate, professional support—what else are they supposed to do? Wait in silence?

He went on to add:

“If they can’t get an appointment with a practitioner for four weeks, of course, they are going to do research. And a lot of people have realised that practitioners don’t know everything. And how can they? It is an unrealistic expectation.”

This is such an important point. Our systems are under-resourced and underprepared. Yet instead of acknowledging that, some in the medical field continue to blame individuals for trying to help themselves. That’s not just unfair—it’s harmful.

The real story isn’t about overdiagnosis. It’s about a society that still doesn’t know how to properly support neurodivergent people.

Language Shapes Perception: Why “Disorder” Misses the Mark

One of the more frustrating aspects of the article was the use of the term “disorder” when referring to ADHD. This kind of language matters. It reinforces a medical model that says, “something is wrong with you,” instead of recognising neurodivergence as part of natural human variation.

Let’s be clear:

• ADHD is a condition, not a malfunction.
• It is a neurological difference, not a deficit.
• We require understanding and support—not to be “fixed.”

We need to shift from medicalised language to a more inclusive, socially aware framework. That’s how we begin to change public perception.

Online Self-Tests: A Gateway, Not a Problem

One psychiatrist in the article claimed that online self-tests are “fueling the issue.” But again, this completely misses the context.

Let’s remember what Dr. Lloyd said: when people can’t access the help they need, they look elsewhere. That’s not bad—it’s human.

In fact, there was a study done within the autism community that found self-testing tools to be surprisingly accurate. What does this tell us?

• People are using these tools to gain awareness.
• Self-assessments are encouraging individuals to seek formal diagnoses, not avoid them.
• These tools are not the enemy—they are actually helping practitioners by bringing in more informed, self-aware individuals.

Practitioners should embrace this, not reject it.

The Myth of “Late-Onset” ADHD and the Danger of Assumptions

Now here’s the part that really got to me. One of the psychiatrists in the article claimed:

“ADHD doesn’t tend to surface in people in their 20s and 30s; it comes on in childhood… people coming in are more likely to be overworked.”

Let’s take a moment with that.

First, yes—ADHD starts in childhood. But that doesn’t mean it’s always recognised in childhood. Many people, especially women and those in under-resourced areas, slip through the cracks entirely.

Second, this statement ignores something critical: executive function challenges.

According to Dr. Barkley, individuals with ADHD are roughly 30% behind in their executive functioning compared to their peers. That means, without proper support growing up, many adults are entering their 20s and 30s completely unequipped. They were never taught how to manage tasks, plan, or self-regulate. And yet, society still expects them to thrive.

Adults aren’t showing new symptoms—they’re finally recognising what’s been there all along.

Diagnosis Is Only Part of the Picture

Here’s another truth: a diagnosis alone isn’t enough. It doesn’t tell you how to manage your ADHD at work. It doesn’t outline strategies for home life. And it certainly doesn’t tell your employer what accommodations you need.

In the UK, research has shown that workplace assessments, not diagnoses, are the real game-changer. This is why neurodivergent coaches and workplace inclusion consultants are so important. They help people identify what they need to thrive.

We need to stop thinking of diagnosis as the final step—it’s only the beginning.

Education Needs to Catch Up

Schools still lag behind. Teachers are not being trained to recognise executive function issues, let alone support them. We need education systems that:

• Understand executive dysfunction
• Build accommodations into daily classroom practices
• Teach planning, focus, and regulation as essential skills—not afterthoughts

The Medication Debate: Misunderstood and Misrepresented

Let me be clear: I’m not a medical professional. But I can speak to what I’ve observed and what others have said.

Many adults who are now seeking diagnoses are part of the “lost generation”—those in their 20s, 30, 40s, and 50s. Back then, ADHD and autism weren’t understood. Unless you showed “extreme” deficiencies, no one took a second look.

And now, these same individuals are dealing with untreated ADHD, which often leads to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Addiction
• Relationship breakdowns
• Chronic job instability

So when we talk about an ADHD “epidemic,” let’s also talk about the epidemic of misdiagnoses, the epidemic of untreated mental health conditions, and the epidemic of people being failed by the system.

Women, in particular, have been especially overlooked—often misdiagnosed and prescribed medications for everything except ADHD.

We also need to address the misdirection here. Why are we comparing students seeking a performance edge to individuals with a medical condition? These are two completely separate issues that have nothing to do with each other. Framing it this way only fuels further stigma and shifts the blame onto ADHDers who rely on medication as a legitimate form of support for their condition.

We must stop villainising ADHD medication. Dr. Barkley puts it best: we don’t stigmatise people who take heart or epilepsy medication—why do we shame those who need ADHD medication?

According to Dr. Lloyd, medication helps—but it doesn’t teach skills. That’s why support strategies, coaching, and accommodations are so essential.

Final Thoughts

The Times of Malta article, like many others, scratches the surface but never digs deeper. It offers a surface-level diagnosis of society’s discomfort with difference—masquerading as concern.

But here’s the truth:

• Neurodivergence is a natural part of human diversity.
• People are seeking answers not to be labeled, but to be understood.
• They want to be accepted, supported, and empowered—not judged or pathologized.

We need to move beyond fear-driven narratives and start building systems that recognize neurodivergent people for who they truly are.

We’re not the problem. The system is.

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In various spheres, we are witnessing a notable shift in language usage and perception. Often, I find myself engaging in discussions with individuals resistant to this linguistic evolution, fearing linguistic rigidity or deeming it improper. However, I firmly believe that language is a living organism, constantly evolving. It’s about understanding, embracing, or potentially being left behind.

Consider two examples. In a past interview on Canada’s CBC’s radio show “Q,” Stephen Fry, multifaceted actor, comedian, director, and author, discussed the evolution of language within the Twitterverse, now known as X. He likened the brevity of tweets to a modern-day reflection of the evolution of the English language from Old English.

Another instance involves the late comedian George Carlin. In his 1990 show, “Doing It Again,” (Time frame 0:16-0:39) Carlin highlighted how organizations seek to control thought by controlling language, emphasizing that we think in language. Thus, altering words and phrases can restrict information, shaping acceptable behavior and identities.

Language shapes our understanding and interactions

This article explores the profound importance of identity and perception within the Neurodivergent community. There has been a noticeable departure from terms such as “disabled” or “diagnosed,” with a growing preference for self-chosen labels. This shift aims to redefine how individuals are perceived and treated in society, recognizing that language shapes our understanding and interactions. Terms like Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, Neurodiverse, and Neurospicy exemplify this evolving linguistic landscape, reflecting a movement towards self-empowerment and reclaiming narratives within the neurodiverse community.
Similarly, discussions within the community often revolve around whether Neurodivergence is viewed as a superpower or a disability. Each individual or group within the community has the right to choose their language, reflecting their unique identity. Crucially, respecting and understanding these choices is paramount.

Workplaces to adapt to these changing dynamics

Moving forward, it’s essential for employers and workplaces to adapt to these changing dynamics. My Previous blog and podcast posts have highlighted how requiring a formal diagnosis poses a barrier to Neurodivergent individuals receiving necessary support. This reluctance, I believe, stems from society’s skepticism towards unseen conditions.

When an employee discloses their neurotype(s), they are asserting their identity. They have lived with these conditions, conducting extensive research to understand their challenges and strengths. Employers must respect this chosen language, recognizing that each individual’s needs vary. Under EU and Maltese Law, failure to provide reasonable accommodations is considered discrimination, regardless of a formal diagnosis.

Closing Thoughts

Businesses must redefine their approach to accommodate varying needs. Neurodivergent employees are eager to contribute meaningfully to their careers. Respecting their identities, understanding their needs, and providing necessary support is not just a legal obligation but also sound business practice.

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