Neurodiversity

A person in a cap walking on a residential street with cars parked and bare trees in the background.

How to take control of your tics – or eliminate them altogether

Whether or not you have a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, a powerful self-help approach can make a difference within a week

by Paul DePompo

People in hooded jackets standing in a park with grass and trees, a rainbow in the sky and a building in the background.

Why we should think of neurodiversity like we do personality

It’s a mistake to frame autistic and ADHD traits as either deficits or mere differences. There’s another way to see them

by Joshua May

Close-up photo of a blue eye with detailed lashes and skin texture visible.

The pupil of the eye opens a remarkable window into the mind

From mental effort to the content of a person’s imagination, these tiny apertures reveal far more than you might realise

by Christoph Strauch

Photo of people in winter clothing exiting a tram at a busy station.
AUTISM

Late autism diagnosis: it’s a relief, but who’s behind the mask?

By the time an adult learns they’re autistic, they have often been covering up for years. A period of self-discovery awaits

by Leonie Mercedes

Blurry photo of a vibrant bar scene with a table of drinks, red lighting and indistinct figures moving around.

Living without mental imagery may shield against trauma’s impact

Discovering I have aphantasia helped me understand my response to being assaulted and why I wasn’t debilitated by PTSD

by J B Smith

Abstract painting of a vibrant landscape with trees, buildings, and a river in bold geometric shapes and colours.

A key part of creativity is picking up on what others overlook

We all constantly filter a flood of details coming in. This process helps explain what gives some brains a creative edge

by Madeleine Gross

A smiling neurodiverse child holds a red balloon. In the background people hold balloons of various colours

Essentialism is insidious – but it might also be helpful

Stereotypes are obviously bad, but believing you share an essence with others could help people who feel marginalised

by Ariana Orvell & Alexa Lebrón-Cruz

Photo of a busy underground train platform with people boarding and exiting a stationary train.

Adapting to the neurotypical world is not the same as conforming

As an autistic person, this is how I draw the line between adapting in a way that’s good for me and simple conformity

by Jack Ori

Photo of a man’s side profile with sunlight creating rainbow flares across his face, blurred greenery background.

Psychedelics could give a mind’s eye to those who’ve never had one

Case reports suggest psychedelics might reverse aphantasia (a lack of mental imagery), but is that necessarily a good thing?

by Shayla Love

Colourful abstract illustration of a person with closed eyes, featuring vibrant brushstrokes and line work in shades of orange, yellow, green, pink and blue.
AUTISM

Enter the sensory world of an overstimulated Autistic mind

A film by Miguel Jirón and Scott Mahoy

Man in a pink jumper intensely plays a piano in a cosy room with a wooden interior, while another person, blurred in the foreground, plays drums.
MUSIC

An Autistic pianist navigates between the pulls of solitude and partnership

Directed by Austen McCowen and Will Hewitt

Photo of a kitchen with word magnets on a fridge and two people in the background at a table.
AUTISM

Autistic people challenge preconceived ideas about rationality

While cognitive biases commonly sway decision-making, Autistic people might be less susceptible to such biases

by Liron Rozenkrantz & Anila D’Mello

Photo of two people playing chess outdoors, seated on tyres near a graffiti-covered wall and blooming tree under cloudy skies.

How to be a good friend to an Autistic person

Autistic and non-autistic people see the social world differently. But openness and empathy can foster a valuable bond

by Abby Sesterka & Erin Bulluss

Photo of pinned insects on display, with a magnifying glass highlighting a large yellow and black beetle.

Why neurodiversity and entomology so often go together

Science has neglected to study the passions of autistic people like me. Here’s why so many of us are drawn to insects

by Alice Laciny

Pastel painting of a smiling man with a moustache and a cat on his shoulder, set against a yellow background.

When the mind is dark, making art is a thrilling way to see

For aphantasic artists with no mind’s eye, creating paintings is a way to experience the mental pictures they can’t see

by Adam Zeman

Blurry photo of a coastal scene with sandy beach rocks ocean and cloudy sky conveying a sense of motion or abstraction.

I have no mind’s eye: let me try to describe it for you

With aphantasia, my mind’s eye sees only darkness, not images. It’s like missing a sense, and only imagination can compensate

by Neesa Sunar

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