I just had the most interesting (to me) thought occur this morning: A counterpoint to actively denying someone is neurodivergent via a comparison of two conditions I myself have.
Some of us have weaker eyesight. It's just the way we are. So we go see the eye doc. Get evaluated, screened for underlying health issues, and when we're otherwise healthy, we get a plan to improve our weakened eyesight. So we can function better day to day.
Some of us have weaker mental functions. It’s just the way we are. So we go see the mental doc. Get evaluated, screened for underlying health issues, and when we're otherwise healthy, we get a plan to improve our weakened mental functions. So we can function better day to day.
(Highly simplifying the processes for the sake of analogy.)
Needing glasses is one of the most accepted life-quality-affecting conditions out there. Anybody can have sight issues. No big deal! But neurodivergence that affects executive functions, suddenly it’s “oh no you don’t have that, everybody has that problem sometimes!” or “oh you’re just trying to fit in now that it’s cool to have [insert condition]!”
Imagine telling someone with sight issues those things: “Oh no you’re not near/farsighted, everybody has trouble seeing that close/far sometimes!” “Oh you’re just trying to fit in now that it’s cool to wear glasses!”
In my case? My ADHD diagnosis and medication are to my brain what my nearsightedness diagnosis and glasses are to my eyes. Both improve the function of the affected organ so that I can live my life better than I could without.
TL;DR: They’re glasses for my brain.