Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
Neurodivergence and Hypermobility
Neurodivergent people are more than twice as likely as the general population to have hypermobile joints. They are far more likely to experience pain on a regular basis, according to new research.
Led by Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), the research found that more than 50% of participants with a diagnosis of Autism, ADHD, or Tourette syndrome demonstrated elevated levels of hypermobility, compared with just 20% of participants from the general population.
Neurodivergent participants also reported significantly more symptoms of pain and dysautonomia (e.g., dizziness when standing up) than the comparison group, which was related to the number of hypermobile joints.
Dr. Jessica Eccles, Lead Author, Clinical Senior Lecturer, and MQ Versus Arthritis Fellow at BSMS, said: “This study is further proof of the link between neurodivergence and physical health issues, demonstrating a direct relationship between hypermobility and increased pain and dysautonomia.
“There are considerable barriers to healthcare for neurodivergent people – our research demonstrates that the need to reduce these barriers is even greater and opens up potential pathways for personalized care.
“Health providers need to make improvements to their services to make them more accessible to neurodivergent patients. They also need to move beyond “exclusive” diagnostic categories and traditional boundaries between body and brain that can lead to siloed healthcare.”
Reference: Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
Video Resources
- 2019 Living with ADHD, EDS, and HSD – Dr. James Kustow
- 2020 Supporting People with ADHD by Dr. James Kustow
- 2020 Anxiety and Hypermobility – Dr. Jessica Eccles
- 2020 Autism, EDS & HSD – Dr. Carolina Baeza-Velasco
- 2022 Regulate – A parent’s guide to emotional dysregulation with Dr. James Kustow
- 2022 Managing ADHD: Part One by Dr. James Kustow
- 2022 Managing ADHD: Part Two by Dr. James Kustow
- 2023 Connecting the dots between autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, EDS, and HSD – Jane Green, MBE
- 2023 Self-care: meditation and mindfulness – Dr. Anne Brito, Neuropsychologist
- 2023 Alternative healing techniques for those living with EDS and HSD | Neurodiversity: Yoga, Meditation, Pilates, etc. – Dr. Tina J Wang, Specialist in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Resources
