Understanding Neurodivergence and Sexuality
Many neurodivergent people’s brains function and process the world differently to their neurotypical peers. Conditions including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder characterize neurodivergent people. Neurodivergent people have brains that process information, emotions, and social cues quite differently than those who are neurotypical.
Neurodivergent people with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experience social situations very differently, which can create challenges in relationships. Those experiencing hypersensitivity, sensory information can be overwhelming leading to intensely unpleasant experiences to process. Those experiencing hyposensitivity, require a significant amount more stimuli, more sensory input to fully register or recognise experiences.
These neurological differences significantly shape how people perceive and process attraction in their social interactions and relationships. For many neurodivergent people, the way they experience attraction differs fundamentally from what society considers typical or normal. This difference exists at the neurological level rather than being a deliberate choice, preference, or decision.