The Diversity of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

            Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has long been stereotyped and stigmatized by its representation in the media and the news. While some characteristics or portrayals of autism reflect realistic and relatable aspects, these depictions often fall into tropes that poorly represent the diversity of autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is expressed through symptoms that differ for every individual, and impacts each person's need for support to a varying degree. Like other neurodevelopmental disorders, autism exists on a spectrum, which requires unique approaches for different people.

The PBS News Hour segment “New focus on autism fuels debate over splitting the spectrum” by Judy Woodruff, Mary Fecteau, and Layla Quran explores different perspectives on splitting the broad definition of ASD. This proposed split would introduce the term “profound autism” to separately categorize individuals with higher symptom severity or level of need. Colin Killick and Jordyn Zimmerman, two adults with autism, share the worry that this split may lead to further stigmatization and barriers in healthcare access. On the contrary, Alicia Mesa finds relief in the acknowledgement of her son, Pablo Mesa’s severe symptoms and high needs. Autistic individuals with higher needs have their voices sidelined by those on the higher-functioning end of the spectrum, and Alicia Mesa advocates for Pablo’s reality to be recognized. The general concern throughout the segment is properly representing people who fall within the spectrum so that their individual needs and capabilities are accurately recognized.

In the research article “A single-session behavioral protocol for successful event-related potential recording in children with neurodevelopmental disorders,” Maggie W. Guy et al. address the marginalization of higher-need individuals in research. Symptoms such as sensory sensitivity impede a high-need participant’s ability to complete a trial, leading to a disproportionate representation in data. Guy et al. challenge this research barrier by devising a protocol aimed at increasing successful data collection from children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Although the protocol was highly effective for some groups, their findings disclose that one universal accommodation fails to address individual needs and differences.

Labeling and categorizing people with neurodevelopmental disorders may help us better understand their behavior, but can also have harmful consequences. These labels carry stigmas and stereotypes, and potentially reduce individuals to a single representation that doesn’t reflect their individuality. Whether it is in the social world or the realm of research, it is important to recognize and address individual differences within groups.

References:

Guy, M. W., Black, C. J., Hogan, A. L., Coyle, R. E., Richards, J. E., & Roberts, J. E. (2021). A single-session behavioral protocol for successful event-related potential recording in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Developmental Psychobiology, 63,e22194. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.22194

Woodruff, J., Fecteau, M., & Quran, L. (2026, April 27). New focus on autism fuels debate over splitting the spectrum. PBS News Hour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/push-to-split-autism-spectrum-by-severity-sparks-controversy