Neurodivergence is not an Illness to be Cured
- Kay Alexander
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
When we talk about "curing" something, we usually mean getting rid of a sickness so a person can go back to being who they were before they got ill. But neurodivergence—which includes things like Autism and ADHD—is not a sickness. It is how a person is built. It is part of their identity from the moment they are born.
Why You Cannot "Cure" a Person’s Biology
The reason there is no cure for neurodivergence is that there is nothing "broken" to fix. A neurodivergent brain is shaped differently and connects its parts in its own specific way. This physical biology determines how a person perceives the world, how they feel emotions, and how they learn.
If you tried to "cure" neurodivergence, you would have to change every single connection in the brain. You would be trying to turn the person into someone else entirely. Because their personality, their talents, and their way of thinking are all tied to how their brain is physically structured, removing the neurodivergence would mean removing the person.
The Myth of "Rewiring" the Brain
Some people talk about "neuroplasticity"—the brain's ability to change and grow—to suggest that a cure is possible. They believe that with enough practice, a neurodivergent brain can be "rewired" to become typical.
While the brain is capable of learning and adapting, this is not the same as changing its fundamental biology. A person can learn new skills to manage sensory overload or use tools to help with organization, but the underlying way their brain processes information remains the same. Learning to navigate a world built for others is a skill, not a change in a person's core neurological type. Practice helps a person cope; it does not turn an autistic brain into a non-autistic one.
How Medicine Actually Works
You might see advertisements for medicines that say they "improve symptoms" of neurodivergence. It is important to be clear about what these drugs can and cannot do.
Medicine does not change your physical biology. It cannot change the way the brain is built, nor can it rewire the connections that were formed as you grew. Instead, medicine works on the chemicals that move through that existing structure.
These chemicals affect things like mood, energy, and the ability to stay still or focus. For example, a person might take medicine because they feel constant, overwhelming anxiety from loud noises or bright lights. The medicine helps calm the nervous system so those lights and sounds do not cause as much distress. Another person might take medicine to help them stay on one task instead of their mind moving in several directions at once.
In these cases, the medicine is a tool for comfort and function. It makes it easier to live in a world that was not designed for their specific biology. But once the medicine wears off, the brain remains exactly what it was before: neurodivergent.
The Real Goal: Support, Not Change
The idea of a "cure" comes from the belief that there is only one right way for a human brain to work. But history shows that humanity needs all kinds of thinkers. People who see patterns others miss, people who focus with intense dedication, and people who think outside the standard box are all essential to our world.
Instead of looking for a way to make everyone the same, the goal should be support. This means:
Providing environments where people do not feel overwhelmed.
Using medicine only when the person wants help with specific struggles like sleep or anxiety.
Changing our schools and workplaces so they value different ways of thinking.
Neurodivergence is a natural part of being human. It is not a problem to be solved; it is a way of being that deserves to be understood and respected.
About the Author
Kay Alexander is the founder of Inspire The Incredible and a dedicated advocate with over two decades of experience supporting children, youth, families, and professionals. Her work is profoundly shaped by her dual perspective—as a seasoned professional in social services and a parent to neurodivergent children. Her mission is to empower individuals by strengthening them and their entire circle of support.
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