Positive Health Online

Unique Patterns

In the past science assumed that there was such a thing as a “normal” brain and those who appeared different with “disorders”  such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome (TS) and dyslexia were labelled, by science and society, as having mental health issues that needed to be fixed. Then in 1997 Australian sociologist Judy Singer, influenced by British psychologist Lorna Wing’s work viewing autism as a spectrum, coined the term “neurodiversity” to advocate for the acceptance and inclusion of people on the autism spectrum with the term suggesting that there are natural differences in the way  brains function. These differences are not seen as abnormalities but as variations in brain function and behaviour. 

Today the neurodivergent community posits that there is one condition --autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome (TS) and dyslexia and that these contain traits that are not disorders to be “fixed”   but instead are unique patterns of thinking that enrich our world. These traits are thus not seen as abnormalities of brain function or behaviour but instead are seen as opportunities for the authentic self of the individual to emerge. In this way neurodivergent people are valued and appreciated. All of this aligns well with  a Daoist viewpoint.

In her book The Age of Diagnosis Suzanne O’Sullivan explains that in children who experience ADHD, although studies have certainly shown structural brain differences, such as slightly smaller brains or brain regions compared with control groups, 

“what’s important to understand is that these are not abnormalities’, just differences seen only on comparison between groups. Radiologists cannot diagnose ADHD on scan because people with ADHD have normal brain scans. Brain scan differences like these are often considered evidential support that ADHD is an inherent brain developmental problem but really they shouldn’t be. Most showing positive findings involve only small numbers of people, are carried out only in children and are not reproducible…. Biomedical research is useful both in understanding pathology and also in determining how the brain generates human traits like personality and disposition. But it does not necessarily mark ADHD as a neurological problem, single disorder or a primarily brain disorder as is often suggested.”[1].

Furthermore many neurodiverse traits such as noise intolerance, social anxiety, concentration difficulties, lack of motivation are experienced by all human beings at times  underlining the idea that that there is no one single “correct” or “normal” way for a brain to work.  This realization, that there is no "normal" and in fact  all brains work in different and unique ways, encourages acceptance and inclusion for all neurodiverse people. 

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Picture Credit: Image by Sara from Pixabay

To be different from others, to stand out in any way – physically or mentally can set people apart to feel excluded and discriminated against. Many cultures the world over have a history of excluding and discriminating against people who appeared to be different in some way –ancient Greeks committed infanticide and people who were considered to be abnormal physically or mentally  were murdered by the Nazis in World War 2. Some ancient cultures considered disability to be retribution for bad deeds in this life or a past life and to this day those who are seen as  disabled are often victims of physical and mental violence and abuse. Today the neurodiversity movement aims to reject  normative standards and by positing that all brains work in unique and different ways  aims to encourage a more caring and inclusive society for those who have neurodivergent traits. 

Daoism and Labels

It is worth mentioning at this point that Daoism does not encourage labels as these are seen as a source of separation from the natural, harmonious flow of life.  To live authentically in the way of Wu Wei – to go with the flow we perhaps need to let go of overly labelling and analysing.  Once a person is labelled as neurodiverse they might  attach to the label and over identify with it – this could then take them away from the development of their authentic selves. At the same time I can see the value of labelling – a label can encourage support and understanding from family, friends and society generally and a medical diagnosis can give respite to a person who has felt forced to achieve. Certainly the DSM - 5 from 2013 (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition – the diagnostic tool published by the American Psychiatric Association and used worldwide) offers 3 labels –“severity levels” that they suggest better help identify a neurodiverse individual’s need for support. Level 1. Requires support. Level 2. Requires substantial support. Level 3. Requires very substantial support. Perhaps the best way to approach the idea of labelling is to ask the neurodivergent person themselves how they would like to be identified.

Daoism and Neurodiversity

Modern societies cultivate the idea that productivity is all important and tend to focus on that to the detriment of different ways of being. In our productivity focused society conformity is all and neurodiverse people are not always valued as the unique and contributing individuals they in fact are. Instead they can be seen as having a disorder that deems them worthless. Daoism has always conveyed the message that there is no such thing as “normalcy” and values people that society perceives as impaired and therefore of no use. Daoists see everyone as equally part of the web of life.  

The Daoist "story of the crooked tree" attributed to the ancient Daoist philosopher Chuang Tzu conveys the message that being different or seen as "useless" can lead to freedom to be one’s true self while being "useful" can lead to being used or exploited. The story tells us that in a forest, there was a crooked tree and a straight tree. The straight tree would often mock the crooked one for its appearance, saying it would never be as tall or strong. One day, loggers came to the forest. They cut down all the straight trees for lumber, but left the crooked tree alone because it was not suitable for building. The crooked tree is still there to this day, growing stronger and stranger every day. 

The story points to core Daoist themes telling us of the importance of acceptance, appreciating everyone’s authentic, unique qualities, and realising that  perceived weaknesses can be strengths. This aligns well with the central message of the neurodiversity community  encouraging society to embrace uniqueness and allow those with neurodiverse traits to be free to be their true selves. This  rather than trying to get neurodiverse individuals to fit  the mould that society demands. 

In Daoism we see with the idea of Wu Wei the natural, non-striving flow of life. Modern society is extremely goal oriented and encourages striving to the extreme -- at school, at the workplace we are required to conform and be like everyone else. Wu Wei is all about allowing the natural flow of life rather than striving to fit into the straight jacket of societal rules and regulations. Daoism encourages acceptance of everyone with all their variations –cognitive differences and physical differences are all included. This is a truly holistic perspective and allows for a full validation of everyone’s experience of life rather than forcing conformity via chemicals or other means on those that do not seemingly conform.

Gut Health and Daoist Healing

As much as it is important to stress that neurodiversity is not an illness it can be helpful to look at the way an imbalance in the gut may impact on neurodiverse individuals. A recent article in Molecular Neurobiology highlights the gut’s role in ASD, pointing out that children with ASD often experience gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Researchers have found that disruptions in the gut microbiome correlate with severity of behavioural symptoms. It seems that immune cells, nerves, microbes and metabolites constantly communicate along the “gut-brain axis.” When this system is disrupted. the effects  can extend beyond the digestive system, affecting neurotransmitter production, immune responses and the blood-brain barrier. The authors suggest that there is a need for a more holistic approach to ASD and highlight “non –pharmacological, nutritional, botanical and “mind body” therapeutic modalities” as being helpful to ameliorate symptoms.[2] Research continues in all of these areas and also shows that  diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains may be beneficial whilst high-processed foods might worsen symptoms. Furthermore  probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria) have proven to improve certain neurodivergent-related symptoms by rebalancing the gut microbiome.

Daoist medicine has long seen the mind body connection between our digestive system and our mental state and practitioners of traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture know that  treating the digestive organs of the stomach, the large and the small intestine along with the spleen can impact positively on one’s mental health. Overthinking and worrying can affect the chi of the stomach and spleen and unresolved emotions such as grief or resentment can impact the large intestine and small intestine. Although acupuncture treatment might be a challenge as many neurodivergent people  experience sensory issues, practices such as deep breathing and meditation can be used to manage emotional stress and support digestive harmony. Furthermore abdominal massage can be used to release emotional and physical blockages in the digestive system.  Daoist healing techniques are extremely helpful in handling the challenges faced by those who are neurodivergent and Daoist philosophy with its holistic perspective and its fundamental message to leave things alone to follow their own nature brings huge support and encouragement to those who are neurodivergent.  

Sources

1.The Age of Diagnosis Suzanne O’Sullivan. Hodder Press. 2025.

2. The Neuroimmunology of Autism in Molecular NeurobiologyVaria, Herbert and Hooker.Published: 20 December 2025 Volume 63, article number 316