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BACKGROUND Present
In order to balance the benefits of defining a diagnosis with the limitations it can entail, we must be aware of those diagnoses, understand proven methodologies to support them, but not restrict design considerations to specific labels. Instead, design considerations that focus on flexible solutions can benefit all individuals to empower each person with tools to support their needs. This leads us back to Judy Singer’s original intent of the word neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity, as originally intended, acknowledges that normal is a gray area, and focusing on labels of diagnoses is limiting. Furthermore, humans have layers of physiological and physical needs that do not fit into just one box, as explored by co-morbid conditions. But if spaces can adapt to any employee’s need, offices can optimize work for all and improve their business as a whole.
Since neurodiversity encompasses everyone, designing for neurodiversity is actually a question of how to design for a Truly Universal Environment:
