You're not Broken, Just Different: Celebrating Neurodivergent Minds

I remember the day I stopped seeing myself as broken. After years of struggling with the way my brain worked differently from others, I had an epiphany: what I had long perceived as limitations were actually advantages.

That realization changed everything for me, and it's the foundation of the message I share through my podcast with neurodivergent individuals from all walks of life.

Let me be clear: neurodivergent people are not broken—we're just different. And it's okay to be different.

The Gift of a Different Perspective

When I started interviewing other neurodivergent individuals, I was struck by how many shared this sentiment.

• Owen Marcus, who lives with dyslexia among other challenges, described his neurodivergence not as a hindrance but as a gift that allows him to "perceive things differently" and find solutions that are "better than the standard."

What others might see as obstacles, Owen views as opportunities that have helped him connect with others and expedite their process of overcoming shame.

This theme of reframing emerged frequently in my conversations.

• Elle O'Flaherty, who works with neurodivergent individuals, focuses on helping people understand the "amazing gifts and strengths that come with AD."

Elle believes that after receiving a diagnosis, starting from a place of strength is crucial.

She points out something I've observed repeatedly: neurodivergent individuals possess skill sets that the majority of people simply don't have, giving us what she calls a "head start."

Beyond Labels and Limitations

Not everyone I've spoken with embraces the terminology we use. Deborah Heiser dislikes the word "neurodivergent" itself, arguing that "everybody's neurodivergent" because everyone learns differently.

Despite her reservations about the label, she emphasizes that neurodivergent individuals can achieve "enormous amount of success"—something I've witnessed firsthand through my own journey and those of my guests.

• Heidi Marke expressed similar concerns about labeling, taking "issue with the Neurodivergent conversation" because she dislikes labels that restrict.

She argues against the idea that "I'm this. Therefore this," highlighting the "loads of differences" within each neurodivergent spectrum. Her perspective reminds me that even within our community, we must recognize the vast diversity of experiences.

Transforming Challenges into Strengths

What I find particularly inspiring is how many neurodivergent individuals have transformed their challenges into unique strengths.

• Jeremy Van Wert identifies "adaptability and resilience" as "brilliant strengths of ADHD and neurodiversity."

Having navigated a world not designed for our minds, we've developed remarkable abilities to adapt and persevere.

• Satya Sardonicus views the differences in her nervous system not as something "broken" but as a "superpower."

• Jacquiline Wagner shares this view, seeing her ADHD as a "gift" that allows her to identify problems others might miss.

These perspectives challenge the harmful narrative that neurodivergent minds need fixing.

• As Neena Perez aptly put it during our conversation, "You're not broken. You're just different."

• She suggested that neurodivergent individuals might be "bent a little but you're not broken"—even jokingly adding that we might be "better."

• Her emphasis that thinking differently is a "beautiful thing" resonates deeply with my own experience.

The Value of Neurodiversity in the Workplace

One topic that frequently emerges in my conversations is the value neurodivergent individuals bring to professional environments.

• Rebecca Jackson noted the growing societal "awareness and awakening of how neurodivergent individuals are so necessary and needed in the workplace to be able to work at something from a different perspective." This recognition is crucial—and long overdue.

• Rebecca Braejean made a compelling argument that companies should see people who are different as "really being human," countering the lack of humanization in discussions about neurodivergence.

She didn't just speak in abstractions; she quantified the positive impact of neurodiversity on businesses, citing increases in innovation and productivity when organizations embrace different ways of thinking.

The success stories of guests like Anthony Wagner, a dyslexic individual with exceptional communication skills, and Brenda Neckvatal, a dyslexic leader, directly challenge preconceptions about neurodivergence being a barrier to achievement.

I've even described Anthony's ability to read nonverbal cues as a "superpower"—because that's exactly what it is.

Embracing Differences, Not "Fixing" Them

A core message I've consistently emphasized is challenging the idea that neurodivergent individuals need to be "fixed".

This mentality does tremendous harm, suggesting there's something fundamentally wrong with our brains rather than recognizing them as beautiful variations of human cognition.

• Katherine McCord speaks eloquently about the "power of neurodiversity," having witnessed innovative problem-solving and wisdom from neurodivergent individuals.

She stresses something I believe passionately: having a difference, whether physical or neurodivergent, does not make someone "less than."

• Melissa Jackson emphasizes the importance of shifting from the idea of being "broken" to recognizing the "tremendous strengths" of neurodivergent people and creating lives around those gifts.

Her assertion that neurodivergent people are "not broken at all, just different" perfectly captures the message I strive to communicate.

Creating Space for Both Strengths and Struggles

While I frame neurodivergence as a difference rather than a deficit, I also recognize the importance of acknowledging challenges.

• Jamie Waller believes it's essential not to focus solely on the positives of neurodiversity but also to create a "safe space" for people to discuss their struggles.

This nuanced approach doesn't contradict the "not broken" narrative—rather, it acknowledges that difficulties exist without attributing them to fundamental flaws.

• Shana Francesca makes an important distinction, clarifying that neurodivergence is a "disability" but not a "weakness."

This perspective acknowledges that neurodivergent individuals may require accommodation and support rather than "strengthening," shifting the responsibility from the individual to society's willingness to adapt.

• Kay Phillips focuses on finding systems that work for individuals rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach.

This personalized strategy recognizes that different minds work differently—not better or worse, just differently.

The Power of Community and Understanding

Perhaps one of the most healing aspects of neurodivergence is finding community with others who share similar experiences.

• Brittany Smith highlights the value of connecting with other neurodivergent individuals to understand that challenges are often shared and cyclical, rather than individual failings.

This perspective counters the isolation many feel when they believe their struggles are unique to them.

• Jeaneen Tang focuses on the need for empathy and understanding toward neurodivergent individuals, particularly children.

Her advocacy reminds me of how important it is to foster acceptance from an early age, allowing neurodivergent children to grow up seeing their differences as valuable rather than problematic.

A Message of Empowerment

If there's one message I hope resonates with every neurodivergent person who hears my podcast, it's the one Sarah Ennor so powerfully articulated: "You are not broken, please carry on" and "We aren't broken, we're not here to be fixed.

We're here to add to any business, any relationship." Her encouragement to have confidence in one's abilities and resilience speaks to the core of what I believe.

• Emily Guerra actively tries to "flip that narrative" that neurodivergent individuals are broken and incapable.

• Stephanie Hayes coaches clients to move away from the mindset that they "have to do it like everyone else."

And

Stephanie Camilleri

(The ADHD Advocate) emphasizes taking a "strength space" approach to ADHD, focusing on innate strengths like problem-solving and empathy.

Looking Forward

As I reflect on all the conversations I've had and the stories I've been privileged to share, I'm filled with optimism about the shifting perceptions of neurodivergence. We're moving—slowly but surely—toward a world that recognizes the value of different ways of thinking.

• Aquila Mendez-Valdez beautifully captures this hope when she reassures listeners that having a neurodivergent child is "not the end of the world" and that they have "great gifts."

• Nadja Fromm's love for the concept of "diversity of mind" highlights the uniqueness and value of every individual.

Through my podcast and my own journey, I've come to see neurodivergence not as something that needs fixing but as a variation of human experience that enriches our collective understanding.

The diverse perspectives of my guests have only strengthened this conviction.

We are not broken. We are not less than. We are different, and that difference is not just okay—it's necessary, valuable, and beautiful.

And as Theresa Tayler and I agree: "We're not broken, we're just different."

---

Eli Dervonté hosts a podcast featuring conversations with neurodivergent individuals across various fields, highlighting their unique perspectives, challenges, and strengths.