Neurodivergence is Political: Why Our Fight for Justice is Intersectional
Bridgette Hamstead
Neurodivergence is often framed as a medical or educational issue, something to be managed through accommodations, therapies, and individual interventions. But the reality is that being neurodivergent is inherently political. It determines how we are treated in schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems. It dictates our access to resources, legal protections, and the ability to participate fully in society. Neurodivergent people do not simply face personal struggles; we exist within systems that were not built for us, systems that actively exclude, pathologize, and penalize us for thinking, communicating, and moving through the world differently. Understanding neurodivergence as a political issue means recognizing that our fight for justice is intersectional, deeply connected to broader struggles for disability rights, racial justice, gender equity, economic justice, and more.
The political nature of neurodivergence begins with how society defines and categorizes it. The medical model of disability, which dominates discussions about neurodivergence, positions autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences as disorders that need to be diagnosed, treated, or corrected. This framing determines who is considered "disabled enough" to receive legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, who qualifies for educational accommodations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and who is able to access disability benefits. It creates barriers for those who are self-identified, late-diagnosed, or unable to afford a formal diagnosis, reinforcing inequities along racial and economic lines. The very act of defining what constitutes a "legitimate" disability is a political decision, one that benefits certain groups while excluding others.
Education is one of the earliest and most glaring examples of how neurodivergent people are marginalized through political and institutional decisions. School systems are structured around neurotypical ways of learning, communicating, and behaving, leaving neurodivergent students struggling to fit into environments that were never designed for them. From an early age, autistic and ADHD children are disproportionately subjected to behavior modification programs, discipline, and exclusion from general education classrooms. The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately affects neurodivergent students, particularly Black and Indigenous children, who are more likely to be punished, suspended, or criminalized for behaviors that are directly related to their neurodivergence. The failure of the education system to support neurodivergent students is not just an individual issue; it is a systemic injustice that limits opportunities, reinforces ableist narratives, and perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Workplace discrimination is another major political issue that affects neurodivergent people. The assumption that "professionalism" looks a certain way—eye contact, verbal communication, working long hours without breaks, handling stress in a specific manner—immediately disadvantages those whose neurodivergence impacts these areas. Many neurodivergent adults struggle to obtain and maintain employment, not because they are incapable of working, but because workplaces are structured around rigid expectations that do not accommodate different cognitive styles. Employers often claim to support diversity while penalizing employees for needing alternative work schedules, sensory-friendly environments, or direct communication styles. Many autistic workers, particularly those in high-demand fields, are pushed into burnout due to inflexible job expectations and a lack of support. Others are fired or pushed out of jobs for requesting accommodations, even though these same employers claim to be inclusive. The fact that employment discrimination against neurodivergent people is so widespread, yet so rarely addressed, is not an accident—it is the result of systemic ableism that values conformity over accessibility.
Access to healthcare is another key battleground where neurodivergent individuals face political and systemic barriers. Medical professionals are often dismissive of neurodivergent adults, especially women, nonbinary people, and people of color, leading to significant disparities in diagnosis and treatment. Many autistic and ADHD individuals struggle to find doctors who take their concerns seriously, whether they are seeking mental health support, pain management, or accommodations for sensory sensitivities. The healthcare system’s emphasis on compliance, rushed appointments, and standardized testing often makes it inaccessible to those who struggle with executive functioning, medical trauma, or difficulty advocating for themselves in high-pressure environments. Neurodivergent people also face higher rates of medical neglect, misdiagnosis, and undertreatment, all of which contribute to poorer health outcomes. When healthcare systems fail neurodivergent individuals, it is not simply a matter of individual doctors lacking awareness—it is a systemic failure rooted in ableism, racism, and economic inequality.
Legal systems also disproportionately target neurodivergent individuals, particularly those who are multiply marginalized. Autistic people, especially those who struggle with communication or emotional regulation, are more likely to be criminalized for behaviors that are misinterpreted as defiance, aggression, or noncompliance. Many police officers and legal professionals lack basic training in recognizing neurodivergence, leading to dangerous and even deadly encounters for autistic and ADHD individuals. The criminal justice system is particularly harsh on neurodivergent people of color, who are more likely to be arrested, incarcerated, and denied access to appropriate support services. Prisons and detention centers are often sensory hellscapes, with bright lights, constant noise, and a lack of control over one’s environment, making them especially harmful for autistic individuals. The intersection of neurodivergence and criminalization is a clear example of how systemic oppression operates—it is not just about disability but about race, class, and the broader structures that define who is seen as deserving of justice and who is not.
Economic justice is another area where neurodivergence intersects with broader political struggles. The financial barriers to receiving an autism or ADHD diagnosis, the lack of workplace protections, and the exclusion from disability benefits all contribute to higher rates of poverty among neurodivergent adults. Many autistic and ADHD individuals struggle with unstable employment, medical debt, and housing insecurity, yet social safety nets are often inaccessible to those who need them most. The application processes for disability benefits are notoriously complex, requiring documentation, extensive paperwork, and medical evidence that many neurodivergent individuals struggle to provide. These barriers are not accidental; they are political choices that prioritize bureaucracy over the well-being of disabled people. The lack of economic support for neurodivergent individuals forces many into financial precarity, limiting their ability to access healthcare, education, and stable housing. Economic justice for neurodivergent people is not just about individual financial literacy or job-seeking strategies—it is about dismantling the systemic barriers that keep us in cycles of poverty and exclusion.
The fight for neurodivergent justice cannot be separated from broader struggles for racial justice, gender equity, disability rights, and economic justice. Neurodivergent people are not a monolithic group, and our experiences are shaped by multiple intersecting identities. Autistic and ADHD individuals who are also LGBTQIA+, people of color, or disabled in other ways face compounded discrimination and exclusion. Any movement that claims to advocate for neurodivergent people without addressing these intersections is incomplete. True neurodivergent liberation requires dismantling the ableist, racist, and classist systems that harm all marginalized people, not just fighting for accommodations within those systems.
Understanding neurodivergence as political means recognizing that the barriers we face are not just personal struggles but systemic injustices. It means advocating not just for inclusion, but for radical change in education, employment, healthcare, and legal systems. It means moving beyond awareness and pushing for policies that actively dismantle discrimination and create equitable opportunities for all neurodivergent people. The fight for neurodivergent justice is part of a larger fight for a world that values diversity, accessibility, and human dignity. It is time to stop treating neurodivergence as an individual issue and start recognizing it as the political struggle that it is.