As someone on the autism spectrum, considered neurodivergent, I worry about society’s treatment of others like me who are neurodivergent and how society’s unrealistic expectations will affect my life as an adult. In the article, "Opinion: We don’t have mental disorders. We have neurodivergence. Please use that term instead," published by San Diego Union-Tribune, the author Aaron Combs discusses "neurodivergence" and examines society’s negative use of the term "mental disorder." Combs goes in depth about how society treats neurodivergent individuals unfairly and how it affects those in that community. Combs strongly believes using the term "neurodivergence" to describe individuals with conditions like autism, ADHD, or even OCD has a more positive …show more content…
Some of the many “disorders” and disabilities that are under the neurodivergent include: autism, ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, and even bipolar disorder. Many of these conditions are looked at quite negatively due to how different individuals with these conditions think and act. This negativity has been spread in many places of society, like the workplace, educational systems, and even the general public. This immensely negative view on mental health and neurodivergence is known as “stigma.” Stigma is a negative viewpoint or assumption about any mental, physical, or social characteristic of an individual, but it is a term commonly used when discussing mental health. Stigma also comes in various forms. Public, self, and institutional are a few examples of the main various forms of stigma. The two categories that these can all look different in are stereotypes/prejudice and discrimination. For example, public discrimination stigma can look like not receiving proper healthcare or occupational opportunities. Self-Stereotyping can look like applying said stereotypes to yourself, like thinking you are inadequate or a threat to others. This stigma gives rise to a variety of behaviors and viewpoints that are very detrimental to the neurodivergent