Read the following Psychology Today article, What is Neurodiversity? (Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/my-life-aspergers/201310/what-is-neurodiversity)

1. Consider the behaviors in the bulleted listed below:

Jenny will only eat white foods.
Brenda follows a very specific routine in the morning. If her schedule is disrupted in any way she is unable to get through the rest of her day.
Lucy did not speak until she was 3 and tends to repeat the same 3 words over and over again.
Thomas has difficulty expressing his emotions and is unable to interpret the emotional cues of others.
Jason avoids physical contact with others.
Nancy wears headphones to avoid interactions with others in public settings.
Matt does not look a person in the eye when he speaks to them.
Mary cannot focus unless her socks are pulled up to her knees. She says it hurts her when they fall down.
Ryan enjoys watching NASCAR. He knows all of the drivers’ stats and shares this information with his friends, family, and acquaintances.
Tammy prefers to work alone and does not do well in group settings.
Sarah can follow directions and clearly understands spoken language but she does not communicate vocally.
Steven refuses to wear clothing that needs to be pulled over his head. He prefers one specific shirt but will wear another shirt if it has buttons or a zipper.

2. PICK TWO behaviors from the list above and answer the five following questions for each of the two behaviors selected. For each, include a heading to indicate which behavior you are addressing (Example: Jenny will only eat white foods) and then list your numbered answers.

Is the behavior neurotypical or neuroatypical?
Should the behavior be addressed through treatment?
To what extent might this behavior present a challenge for an individual in dealing with others?
What could be done in a school or workplace to accommodate these kinds of behaviors?
Could the behavior provide an advantage?

Sample Solution