Your Career: It’s no easy decision to seek an adult diagnosis of neurodivergence

But discovering that you have a developmental disorder can be life- and career-changing in a good way. ADVERTISEMENT [Your Career Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Discovering that you have a developmental disorder can be life- and career-changing in a good way Have you ever wondered, as an academic, whether you might be neurodivergent — whether you’ve gone through life with undiagnosed autism, attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or some other developmental disorder? Do you wonder whether your career in higher education has suffered because you lacked a complete picture of yourself? You may be right. Today, thanks to updated diagnostic criteria, a “lost generation” of adults with such developmental conditions are seeking some answers. Developmental disorders can affect “executive function” — that is, your ability to concentrate, organize, process information, and plan large-scale projects. Not every neurodivergent person struggles with all of those challenges, but most struggle with some. Neurodivergence, however, also brings gifts. The negative medical term “hypersensitive,” when viewed from a neuropositive perspective, shows a person who is attuned to details that others might miss. A similar term, “hyper-focused,” shows an ability to complete a task in a brief amount of time that neurotypicals might find extraordinary. The point is: The medical community tends to focus on negative diagnostic criteria, but it’s crucial that you view your potential neurodivergence not only as a source of challenges but also of strengths. Continue reading: “[Should You Seek an Adult Diagnosis of Neurodivergence?,]( by Katie Rose Guest Pryal Share your suggestions for the newsletter with Denise Magner, an editor at The Chronicle, at denise.magner@chronicle.com. If you’d like to opt out, you can log in to our website and [manage your newsletter preferences here](. ADVERTISEMENT SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for less than $20 and get unlimited access to essential reporting, data, and analysis. And as a special bonus, you'll get the 2024 Trends Report, our annual issue on the major trends shaping higher education — coming in March. NEWSLETTER [Sign Up for the Teaching Newsletter]( Find insights to improve teaching and learning across your campus. Delivered on Thursdays. To read this newsletter as soon as it sends, [sign up]( to receive it in your email inbox. 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