Why is Screening for Neurodivergence So Important?

The journey to understanding yourself often starts with a hunch or a feeling of being different. When accompanied by learning about neurodiversity, this might lead you to consider whether you are neurodivergent.

Screening is typically the first step towards understanding yourself better or getting a diagnosis. Screening describes the questions or forms you will fill out before a formal assessment to determine if you fit the typical profile of that neurodivergence.

While the idea of "screening" might sound clinical or daunting, it carries several benefits and can provide clarity and direction. Let's delve deeper into the importance of screening in neurodiversity assessments.

So why is screening important?

Empowering Self-understanding 📘

Screening can offer a brief snapshot of your neurodivergent traits. This can be empowering, shedding light on your current or past strengths and struggles.

Guided Support Pathways 🛤

Post-screening, individuals gain clearer insights into the types of support they might benefit from. Whether it's coaching, different learning techniques, or diagnosis, these preliminary insights can shape the support combination you seek.

Initiating Formal Evaluations 📝

Many diagnostic assessors for neurodivergence require you to do a screening questionnaire beforehand. A score above a set threshold is sometimes used as the green signal to pursue comprehensive evaluations.

Insightful Preliminary Analysis 📊

Screening provides an initial understanding of the neurodivergent traits you might have. It’s akin to skimming a book's synopsis before diving into its chapters. This can help identify areas that a diagnostic assessor should explore further.

Community Connection 🤝

Having increased your self-understanding, screening might encourage you to interact with people with similar experiences, strengths and struggles. Connect with others and share your experiences over on Noetic’s community.

It’s important to remember that screening questions normally focus on the common experience of neurodivergence. However since everyone’s experience is different, not every neurodivergent person will exceed screening thresholds. This does not make their neurodivergence any less valid.

Many validated screening tools have biases against women, other marginalised genders and the global majority. This means they may not reach the screening threshold, because their experiences are not reflected in the screening questions.

🧠 Noetic is working to revolutionise the neurodivergence journey, providing holistic screening for neurodivergence and guidance through personalised diagnosis and support.

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