Neurodiversity: behavioural science's biggest blind spot

TL;DR: Neurodiversity is currently a blind spot in behavioural science research and theory. This is problematic because it limits our understanding of human behaviour, excludes underserved neurominority perspectives, and hampers the development of inclusive frameworks that work well for all cognitive profiles. Integrating neurodiverse viewpoints through further research and collaboration will enrich behavioural science and lead to more universally applicable insights.

In behavioural science, we talk about the overuse of WEIRD test subjects - those from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic societies but there are other kinds of brains often perceived as "weird" that are overlooked too. In the past couple of years, there has been growing awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity, which refers to variation in how human brains think and process information.

Yet neurodiversity remains a blind spot in behavioural science discourse - there is a fundamental lack of understanding in how different neurocognitive profiles shape human behaviour, with most theories and frameworks based on neurotypical reasoning, meaning the cognitive styles of those without neurodevelopmental conditions. This is a major barrier for neuroequality as the field of behavioural science currently overlooks the experiences of those in the neurominority.

Many of those working in behavioural science say that their motivation is to improve the lives of other people – sadly, the current reality is that we are leaving behind those who perhaps most urgently need our guidance.

This narrow focus on average or typical cognition is also a missed opportunity for behavioural science because also limits our understanding of the full spectrum of human behaviour. For example, there is currently minimal scientific evidence of how neurodivergence fundamentally shapes behaviour and motivation.

Critically, there are substantial research gaps when it comes to studying areas like:

• Habit formation abilities and challenges for neurodivergent populations.
• Efficacy of common goal-setting, tracking, and commitment techniques for those with executive function differences.
• Minimal investigation into decision-making variations across neurotypes e.g. whether BE principles apply similarly across different neurocognitive profiles.
• Tailoring evidence-based interventions to serve those with diverse motivational drives and learning needs.

There is an opportunity to improve behavioural science theories and frameworks by making them more universally applicable, surfacing limiting assumptions, and crowdsourcing ideas to translate behavioural insights to different audiences as well as devise novel frameworks integrating neurodiverse considerations.

Accounting for neurodiversity is crucial for inclusive behavioural science that serves everyone because it improves applicability of frameworks to wider populations beyond just the neurotypical majority and fuels innovation by integrating alternative perspectives and cognitive styles.

Neurodivergent minds like mine think differently from conventional frameworks built on neurotypical reasoning which means many of the commonly used behaviour change techniques do not work the same way. One reason for the lack of inclusion is that neurodivergence is often still viewed through a pathological deficit lens as something to "fix" and "overcome" – especially in academia – which means outdated biases persist regarding the capabilities and strengths of neurodivergent individuals.

I have been thinking for years that we need a space for neurodiversity in behavioural science discourse, but the time has not felt right until this year. There is still such considerable stigma attached to being open about ADHD, autism etc. that when I mentioned the idea of this group to some ND friends, many were concerned about the negative impact of disclosure on their professional lives.

I agree with them that it is a risk, but I also owe it to my two goddaughters who have both received ADHD diagnoses at the ages of 10 and 28 – decades before I did - to do something to make the world a more equal place for those with differently wired brains.

To create a space for neurodiversity in behavioural science, I have launched a new LinkedIn group called Neurodiversity in Behavioral Science. The aim is to build an inclusive community that gives voice to neurodiverse perspectives often left out of discourse. By sharing lived experiences, we can surface limiting assumptions in existing theories and shape more universally applicable solutions that serve all thinking styles. Together we can develop frameworks inclusive of neurodivergent cognition, promote empathy and strengths-based views, and advance knowledge in a way that doesn't leave neurominorities behind.

I believe the time is now to be the change we want to see, so if you are an academic, researcher, consultant and/or practitioners working in the broad area of behavioral science with any "flavour" of ND*, please join the group!

Please note: this group is PRIVATE and UNLISTED which means non-group members do not see discussions, and it is not visible to others on members’ profiles because disclosing neurodiversity is still not a privilege everyone has. Also, self-diagnosis is valid!

Key Term Definitions:

Neurodiversity - The variation and differences in how human brains think, process information, and perceive the world.

Neurocognitive profile - An individual's unique strengths and preferences in things like learning, emotion regulation, planning, focus, social interaction, and motivation. Shaped by both neurobiology and environment.

Neurotypical - Having a neurocognitive profile that aligns with what is considered "typical" or average. Does not have neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia.

Neurominority - Those with neurocognitive profiles divergent from the neurotypical majority. Also referred to as neurodivergent.

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