Deconstructing diagnostic categories: Shifting the narrative on neurodivergence

This webinar challenges the deficit-based medical model and explores how traditional neurodevelopmental diagnoses shape research, services, and lived experiences. It highlights how medicalized narratives often emphasize pathology over support, leading to a research focus on cures and genetics rather than environmental adaptations. The discussion also considers the role of intersectionality, acknowledging how factors like age, gender, and ethnicity influence neurodivergent experiences. Featuring speakers Laurene Fontan, Monique Botha, and Helen Neale, the webinar advocates for a shift towards participatory research and individualized, needs-based frameworks, moving beyond rigid diagnostic labels to promote better outcomes for neurodivergent individuals.