Welcome to Suivez le Zèbre, the first blog dedicated to neurodiversityin France. Here you’ll find information on HPI (High Intellectual Potential), hypersensitivity, autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s), DYS disorders and ADD/ADHD.
But what exactly is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to people with atypical brain function. In other words, the way in which information is interpreted can be different. It may also be that information is not being transmitted correctly from one area of the brain to another.
To be neuroatypical is to belong to the family of neurodiversity, because your brain has a particular way of functioning. Either it’s very fast, as with HPI, or it will interfere with the information gathered by our senses, leading to misinterpretation.
Please note that a dysfunction in the brain does not mean a lack of intelligence or a mental health problem. Certain disorders can be disabling, but you can be neuroatypical and turn your handicaps into everyday strengths.
The neurodiversity family includes :
DYS disorders: are specific, long-lasting dysfunctions of varying degrees of severity in the brain’ s cognitive functions relating to language, writing, arithmetic, gestures and attention.
ADHD is attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity. He may be considered DYS. At Suivez le Zèbre, we decided to separate it from the other DYS.
The HPI autistic autistic and hypersensitive .
Do you think you might be neuroatypical? Suivez le Zèbre offers online tests to help you find out, and refer you to a healthcare professional if you feel the need.
Attributed to Australian sociologist Judy Singe, the term NEURODIVERSITY was democratized in 1998 by American journalist Harvey Blume via his article for The Atlantic.
Neurodiversity encompasses all atypical brain functions.
Definition of neurodiversity in France
According to French sociologist Brigitte Chamak, the concept of neurodiversity is based on the idea that “. the brain and how it works are key to understanding human nature “and aims to “demedicalize demedicalize “what are defined as ” mental pathologies “by ” celebrating the diversity of ways of thinking “ 1 .
Neurodiversity is a concept that recognizes that neurological (or brain) differences are a natural part of human diversity, just like the diversity of skin color, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, etc., in the human race.
Neurodivergent or neuroatypical people have neurological differences that can affect their behavior, communication, cognition, sensory perception, emotional regulation and social interactions.
Neurodiversity includes a variety of conditions such as:
- HPI
- Hypersensitivity
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity(ADHD)
- dyslexia
- dyspraxia
- dyscalculia
- dysgraphia
- dysphasia
- dyspraxia
- dyskinesia
- dysphonia
- etc
Borderline, bipolar and schizophrenic personality disorders are not generally considered part of neurodiversity, but rather psychiatric disorders characterized by difficulties in emotion regulation, unstable interpersonal relationships and an unstable self-image. On the other hand, Tourette syndrome and OCD can be included in neurodiversity.
Neurodivergent people can have unique abilities, skills and perspectives that can be valuable to society.
Our role in neurodiversity
The neurodiversity movement advocates the acceptance, valorization and celebration of neurological diversity rather than the normalization or stigmatization of differences. As you can imagine, Suivez le Zèbre is a part of this, not only on the blog, but also in the employee profiles we recruit and in our choice of partners.
Proponents of neurodiversity maintain that neurodivergent people have the right to participate fully in society, to receive appropriate support for their specific needs , and to be respected and included without discrimination because of their neurodivergence.
Neurodiversity is a concept that refers both to the neurological variability of thehuman species, and to social movements aimed at gaining recognition and acceptance for this difference, in opposition to capacitism. It is often compared to biodiversity, the concomitance of several different types of neurological function in human beings being seen as indispensable in societies.
Neurodiversity in France
At Suivez le Zèbre, we support diverse, alternative and non-standard neurological functions, making them better known and understood by the general public.
Cumulatively, neurodiversity represents 25% to 40% of the population. A range between 17 and 26 million French people. It’s huge! That’s why we’ve decided to democratize neurodiversity in a positive way!
Today, Suivez le Zèbre specializes in5 atypias: HPI, hypersensitivity, DYS, ADD/ADHD and autism spectrum ASD.
The HPI profile , High Intellectual Potential
The exact number of people with High Intellectual Potential (HPI) in France is difficult to determine precisely, as there are no official statistics on the subject.
According to some estimates, around 3% of the French population may be affected by HPI, i.e. some 2 million people. However, these figures may vary depending on the definitions and criteria used to identify HPI.
It’s important to note that HPI is not a cognitive disorder or pathology, but a particular cognitive characteristic that can present specific advantages and challenges.
ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity
According to estimates, there are between 2.5 and 4 million people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) in France, i.e. between 5% and 7% of the population. It’s important to note that ADHD can be under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, which can influence the figures.
What’s more, the signs and severity of ADD/ADHD can vary considerably from one person to another, which can make it difficult to accurately estimate the number of people affected.
According to studies, it is estimated that around 30-50% of people with High Intellectual Potential (HIP) may also have symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in France.
Autism spectrum disorder
According to estimates, there are around 650,000 people with Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD) in France, i.e. around 1% of the population.
Visit ASD are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect communication, social interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests.
Asperger’s Syndrome
Asperger’s Syndrome was removed from the official diagnostic classification (DSM-5) in 2013 and is now considered part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
As a result, it is no longer diagnosed as a distinct syndrome. People who would previously have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome are now diagnosed with ASD Level 1, which corresponds to a mild form of ASD, with no significant intellectual deficit or language delay.
DYS disorders
The term DYS “groups together different learning disabilities. There are no precise figures on the number of DYS sufferers in France, but some estimates put the figure at between 6% and 8% of the French population.
However, it’s important to note that learning disabilities can manifest themselves differently in each individual, and precise figures can vary depending on the definition used and diagnostic methods.
Hypersensitivity
Here again, there are no precise figures on the number of hypersensitive people in France, as this is not a recognized disorder or pathology. Hypersensitivity is a personality trait that describes heightened sensitivity to external and internal stimuli, such as sounds, smells, light, other people’s emotions, and so on.
According to some studies, around 15-20% of the population can be considered hypersensitive. Hypersensitivity can vary according to the criteria used to define it, and can manifest itself in different ways depending on the individual. It is not necessarily innate, unlike HPI.
Hypersensitivity may be associated with other characteristics, such as HPI, ADHD, anxiety or depression.
Source of figures: chatGPT
Neurodiversity: an inclusive vision of cerebral difference
Historically, brain differences have often been regarded as deficiencies or anomalies. However, the neurodiversity perspective challenges this notion and highlights the potential benefits that people with brain differences can bring to society, such as creativity, insight, complementarity and the ability to think innovatively.
This inclusive vision sees cerebral differences as normal , and values the unique perspectives and talents that each person brings to society.
The neurodiversity community is gaining in visibility, with more and more people fighting for the recognition and acceptance of brain diversity.
However, there is still much work to be done to ensure inclusion and justice for all people with brain differences. It’s the story of the hummingbird, but together we can make it happen!
We don’t suffer from neurodiversity!
Just a reminder: we don’t suffer from neuroatypia or neurodiversity. The impact and repercussions of neuroatypia on life, relationships, work and the environment can be painful, but not everyone with neuroatypia suffers.
It’s possible to feel good about yourself even if you’re neuroatypical.
Neurodiversity and mental health
Mental health concerns everyone, neuroatypical or not. HPI and hypersensitivity are functions. ASD, ADHD and DYS are considered disorders. However, you can have a cognitive disorder and/or unusual cognitive functioning and not suffer from any mental health problems.
Reminder and definition of mental health :
Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological and social well-being in which a person is able to cope with the challenges of daily life, work productively and contribute to his or her community. Mental health is not limited to the absence of mental illness or psychological disorders, but also includes the ability to adapt to life changes, solve problems and maintain positive relationships with others.
Mental health can be affected by many factors, such as :
- life experiences
- stress
- trauma
- psychological disorders
- genetics
- the social and physical environment
- lifestyle habits such as sleep, diet, physical activity and use of digital media
On the other hand, you can be unaffected by neurodiversity and still have a mental illness.
Find a professional to support you
If you’re neuroatypical, or think you might be , and you’d like to be supported in this discovery or in your day-to-day life to better manage the repercussions of your atypism, you can use our search module to find the right professional for your needs.
Neurodiversity is an important perspective that values the diversity of brain function. By supporting people with brain differences, we can create a more inclusive society, richer in talent and opportunity.
If you’d like to find out more about yourself, take a look at our various tests.
You can also find more information, resources and tools on Giftedness in Mel POINAS‘ book. With a lot of humor, Mel tells the story of the discovery of her giftedness and the routines she put in place to finally find her place!
Le livre
Écrit par une HPI !
Un témoignage et des solutions concrètes pour découvrir, comprendre et apprendre à vivre en étant HPI.
To go further, you can read
- Giftedness : Explanations and record of Mel Poinas
- What it means to be HPI
- The different types of hypersensitivity
- DYS disorders
- Impostor’s syndrome
- Giftedness : 20 characteristics of complex and laminar profiles
- How to take the WAIS 4 test?
- The best books about High Learning Potential
- The best books on hypersensitivity
- Giftedness and Hypersensitivity
