For a long time, ADHD and autism have been viewed through a narrow medical lens, as disorders, deficits, or things to “fix.” But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?
There’s growing evidence that neurodivergent traits aren’t flaws, they’re differences. And they’ve always been part of us. In fact, the traits we associate with ADHD and autism may have helped our species survive and thrive.
Let’s explore a different story. One where neurodiversity isn’t just accepted, it’s essential.
ADHD and Autism, Not New, Just Misunderstood
Neurodivergence isn’t a modern invention. These minds have always existed. What’s changing now is how we talk about them.
The neurodiversity movement challenges the idea that there’s one “normal” brain type. Instead, it recognises that brains work in all kinds of ways. And that diversity is a strength — not something to pathologise.
People with ADHD often think fast, move fast, and take risks. People with autism often focus deeply, see patterns others miss, and create structure in chaos.
These differences might have been exactly what our ancestors needed.
ADHD: The Explorers, Risk-Takers, and Idea-Starters
Let’s go back — way back — to early human societies. Small groups trying to survive off the land, deal with danger, and adapt to change.
In that world, someone who got bored quickly, acted fast, and followed curiosity might’ve had an edge. Spotting a new berry bush. Chasing movement in the trees. Noticing when it was time to leave a dangerous spot.
These are traits we now call impulsive or inattentive. But in a fast-changing, high-risk environment, they were useful.
A recent study on foraging behaviour showed that people with higher ADHD traits were more successful at gathering food when they moved frequently and reacted fast. That’s not a bug — it’s a feature.
Fast-forward to today: those same traits might lead to creative ideas, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation in tech, design, and leadership. It’s not about being “distracted” — it’s about being wired for discovery.
Autism: The Steady Hands, Deep Thinkers, and Order-Keepers
On the other hand, in any community, someone needs to keep things running.
Who keeps the fire going? Who remembers how to make the tools the right way every time? Who notices the small changes in weather, plants, or animal tracks?
Those are the kinds of strengths we often see in autistic minds — structure, focus, and deep pattern recognition.
The world often praises flexibility and sociability, but the people who thrive on consistency and attention to detail are just as essential.
Traits like routine, sensory awareness, and systemising weren’t mistakes of evolution — they were survival tools. And today, they still are. Whether it’s data science, engineering, logistics, or art — people with autism often bring unmatched clarity, honesty, and depth.
It’s Not One or the Other, It’s the Community
This isn’t about saying one brain type is better. It’s about recognising that we’ve always needed a mix.
A community that only explores? Too chaotic. One that only maintains routine? Too rigid.
But together — the risk-takers and the structure-holders, the idea-generators and the pattern-trackers — that’s where we find balance. That’s how humans built fire, farming, tools, art, and language.
That’s how we keep moving forward.
Modern Systems Still Have a Lot to Learn
So if neurodiverse brains are so valuable, why do we see so many people struggling?
The problem isn’t the brains, it’s the systems.
Modern life, especially in school and work, often rewards only one kind of thinking: sit still, follow instructions, multitask, perform socially. And it punishes the rest.
But the world doesn’t just need managers. It needs makers, builders, artists, and people who question the way things are done.
It needs minds that can sit in silence for hours on a single idea. It also needs minds that jump from thought to thought, seeing links no one else saw.
We don’t need to squeeze neurodivergent people into neurotypical boxes. We need to reshape the system to include all kinds of brains.
What This Means for Us and for You
At Make Lemonade, we work with people across the spectrum of experience — from fast-moving ADHD brains to deeply focused autistic thinkers. Some people don’t use labels at all, and that’s okay too.
What we care about is this: your brain has a place here.
You don’t need to be less of who you are to be part of your community. In fact, your differences might be exactly what the world needs.
Maybe you’ve been told you’re “too much” or “too sensitive.” Maybe school or work made you feel like you were failing at things everyone else found easy.
But maybe you weren’t failing. Maybe you were just wired for something else.
Let’s Keep the Fire Going, Together
If you live with ADHD or autism — or suspect you do, know this: you’re not broken.
There’s a long, rich history of people like you shaping culture, science, language, technology, and art. And in community, we need all of it.
There’s value in being the one who gets up first and checks the fire. And there’s value in being the one who runs toward the unknown, just to see what’s there.
You don’t need to change your brain to belong. You already do.
Want to explore this more? Our team includes clinicians with deep experience working with neurodivergent clients. We offer therapy that doesn’t try to “fix” you — just helps you understand how your mind works, and how to work with it, not against it.
Reach out if you’re curious.
Inspired by:
- Petra Hoggarth’s article on The Neurodiversity Movement
- Neurolaunch’s article on ADHD’s Evolutionary Advantage
