This section refers to having highly focused or extraordinary interests that are more intense than those of most people. Here, the word "intense" means having strong feelings or showing great energy or effort toward something. "Unusual" means not common or typical. Hobbies, academics, and art are the most common examples.
Hobbies: You might be deeply passionate about a niche hobby such as building extremely detailed model ships or collecting rare stamps, spending countless hours and resources dedicated to it, beyond what most people would consider normal. Academics: You could be so fascinated by a particular subject, like astrophysics, that you read volumes of scientific papers, follow space missions diligently, and attend every lecture or seminar on the topic, far more than your peers. Arts: You might have an unusual interest in a specific art form, like Indonesian shadow puppetry, learning all the techniques, history, and cultural significance associated with it, even though it’s not widely known or practiced in your region.
TIP: Practice mindfulness or meditation techniques to refocus your thoughts and bring yourself back to the present moment.
Example: Whenever you find yourself fixating on a particular thought, take a few minutes to do a guided meditation session using a mindfulness app like Headspace or Calm. This can help redirect your mind and reduce the intensity of obsessive thoughts.
TIP: Set specific time limits for engaging with these topics and create a balanced daily schedule that includes a variety of activities.
Example: If you find yourself talking, thinking and reading about it, collecting and making things related to it, connecting many diverse aspects of your life to it, allocate 1-2 hours a day to it and spend the rest of the time on other activities.
TIP: If you find that you naturally focus more on the details of things than the overall picture, create a vision board or a list of long-term goals to remind yourself of the bigger picture.
Example: Use a whiteboard or digital tool to outline your major goals, such as career aspirations or personal achievements, and refer to it regularly to keep yourself motivated and focused.
TIP: If you have highly unusual interests (for example, are you intensely interested in methods for training champion fighting beetles, or do you have the world’s largest cigar band collection), find online communities or local groups with similar interests to share your passion and feel less isolated. Join a specialized forum or social media group where you can discuss your unique interests with like-minded individuals.
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With a mind that processes more thoughts than average, it is helpful to use organizational tools like to-do lists, calendars, or mind-mapping software to manage and prioritize your thoughts.
Example: Use an app like Trello or Todoist to create categories for your different thoughts and tasks, helping you keep track of everything in an organized manner.
Practice emotional regulation techniques, such as deep breathing or journaling, to better understand and balance your emotions. Keep a journal where you write about your daily experiences and emotions, and use it as a way to process and make sense of your feelings.
TIP: To explain neurodivergence to others, use clear and relatable analogies to help others understand your experiences and perspectives.
For example, compare it to different operating systems on computers—both are capable but may process information differently.
TIP: Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Create a list of your strengths and accomplishments to boost your self-esteem and remind yourself that it's okay to have some limitations.
Examples of successful neurodivergent people
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch artist whose vibrant and emotive paintings like Starry Night and Sunflowers didn't get the recognition they deserved until after his death. Despite battling severe mental health challenges, he channeled his struggles into over 2,000 artworks in just a decade. His unique use of color and bold brushstrokes broke the mold of tradition, showing personal turmoil turned into creativity.
Richard Branson is the British billionaire behind the Virgin Group, which spans everything from music to airlines to space travel. Growing up with dyslexia, traditional schooling wasn't his thing, but he flipped the script by embracing his strengths in creativity and risk-taking. Branson's adventurous spirit and willingness to defy norms turned him into a global icon for innovative entrepreneurship.
Ingvar Kamprad was the mastermind behind IKEA, making stylish and functional furniture accessible worldwide. Dyslexia influenced his decision to name products with memorable Swedish words instead of complicated codes, simplifying the shopping experience. His knack for simplicity and efficiency didn't just build a brand—it revolutionized how we think about design in our everyday lives.
Albert Einstein, the genius who brought us the theory of relativity, had a mind that didn't fit the norm. While never officially diagnosed, some believe he showed traits of dyslexia or autism. His ability to visualize complex concepts in unique ways led to discoveries that flipped our understanding of the universe. Einstein's curiosity and imagination were as boundless as the cosmos he studied.
Practice using positive affirmations by reinforcing more balanced thinking. This is best achieved with daily positive self-talk. Remind yourself that it's okay to have both strengths and weaknesses and that progress is more important than perfection. Changing thought patterns takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories as you work towards a more balanced perspective. After all, if you constantly tell yourself negative things about yourself, life, and the world we live in, how can you expect to feel better?
Sensory experiences are the ways in which we perceive and respond to stimuli from our environment through our five senses.