Science 25 Apr 2024 Vol 384, Issue 6694 by Cameron Davidson
All brains work differently. Individuals process information and engage with the world in ways that are influenced by a multitude of biological, cultural, and social factors. In the world of science, these differences are what spark innovation. This is why the scientific community needs to better recognize the enormous potential of neurodiversity and bear in mind that certain behavioral and cognitive traits that may strike some as unusual can be catalytic to the scientific quest.
I am autistic. This diagnosis, which came in my adult life, explained many things about my past. It also increased my awareness of the scope of work needed to unravel the complexity of cognition and to reduce the stigma and exclusion associated with autism spectrum disorder and other neurological conditions. Neurodiversity, I learned, is a broad phenotype that encompasses people who are on the spectrum for different reasons.
Growing up, I became accustomed to comments from teachers about being “hard to read.” I had very specific interests in music and science but I was fortunate, especially as a child, to have had friends who included me. When I became a chemistry professor, student evaluations sometimes noted a monotone communication style. “Wooden” was the feedback I occasionally received as a university administrator. I attributed my awkwardness and inability to pick up on certain social cues as part of being an introvert. It was not until I became the chancellor of a large public university that I became aware of these traits as an obstacle. I struggled to meet the expectations of an institutional leader who must constantly interact with people who are not part of the academic community. I received extensive training on eye contact, hand motions, and modulation of vocal tone to help my performance on the job. When I became a provost at a private university, my mannerisms stood out again when I tried to fit in with outside stakeholders. It was suggested in a performance evaluation by a respondent that I had Asperger’s syndrome (a condition later folded into Autism Spectrum Disorder), which was confirmed by the facilitator who was well-qualified to give this diagnosis. That had never occurred to me because of my outdated idea of autism as referring exclusively to nonspeaking children who required intensive help at home and at school.
It took a few years for the realization to sink in, but I knew that I was fortunate to have a form of autism that allowed me to do all the things I had done, as well as financial and personal support. Many autistic people do not receive such reinforcement, especially those with severe, debilitating symptoms who have different needs and live in places where resources are lacking. After talking to many advocates who are themselves autistic, I learned how useful it can be for us to disclose our diagnosis and to help reduce the stigma.
Knowing my diagnosis benefits me in my current roles as well. I learned that people like me have difficulty ending conversations, which can make social situations hard to navigate. When I meet my students in class, I tell them that I have a hard time modulating my vocal tone because I’m Autistic. That’s a relief. I work with my colleagues to make sure I know exactly what they need when I’m not getting a strong verbal signal or other cues. And when I speak in front of young people, if I disclose that I’m autistic, many members of the audience who are also on the Spectrum thank me afterwards for being open about it. None of us can end the conversations very well—and we don’t want to.
Clinical psychologist Simon Baron-Cohen writes about how there’s more neurodiversity in science compared to other fields because many scientists are the systematizing thinkers that he calls “pattern seekers,” a common trait of autism. Some neurodivergent people are meticulously observant and are able to connect seemingly disparate concepts-assets in the world of science. This should make science a comfortable place to call home, yet not everyone feels so included. This must improve. Neurodiversity scholars and advocates have stressed that autistic thinkers are responsible for many innovations and advances across human history. If we really want the best talent in science, then let’s foster environments across the scientific enterprise that invite neurodiversity and recognize the strengths of neurological differences.