Neurodiversity and the Human Design System

I’m sometimes asked how to spot ADHD or Autism in the HD chart. I’m not a fan of that kind of over-simplification. “You have this gate? You must be on the spectrum!” It doesn’t work like that. 

What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence was first used to describe people on the autism spectrum; then it widened to include dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurological variances.

Neurodivergence happens because there are variations in how humans think, sense, and perceive (it’s not just about thinking). It’s natural. Just like gender and other human attributes, some people diverge from what we might call ‘normal’.

From an evolutionary perspective, recognising neurodivergence is important. That recognition, and hopefully going on to find your neurodivergent tribe, opens up whole new possibilities for embracing and living who you really are. For everyone else, there is space and permission to move further from ‘normal’.

At it’s very core, the Human Design System is about the uniqueness of each individual and how we all fit together. It helps those who are neurodivergent understand how they are designed to be. You don’t get left out if you’re a neurotypical though, because Human Design give everyone a map to their way of thinking.

Most indigenous cultures accepted individual diversity, and see a place for everyone. The Tiwi Island sistergirls are a great example.

In our own culture, neurodiversity creates a need to ‘mask’, and often causes early relational trauma. Having to constantly try to fit in, or explain yourself and ask for accommodation, is exhausting. There’s a great article on this here.

As I was reading this article, I found myself wondering whether people who are a bit ‘divergent’ are drawn to Human Design, seeking some way of understanding themselves because they couldn’t find reflections of their authentic self out in the world.

For those of you who are neurodiverse, and those who just feel you don’t fit in very well, I hope this article helps you understand your own thinking processes a bit better!

How does your thinking happen?

Did you know there are circuits in your Human Design? They influence the way the energy flows through the gates and channels. In this post, I want to share the mental circuitry and how mental energy flows through your lovely unique brain.

There are 3 circuits that affect how we think, and what we like to think about.

Logical thinking

Activated by doubt and most comfortable with language, logical-patterned thinking is part of what’s commonly called the Logical Circuit. It’s forward thinking, experimental, and likes to test its opinions by arguing. This circuit is also known as the Understanding Circuit. It is activated by Splenic Awareness, so it tends to be quick and intuitive.

Abstract thinking

Activated by confusion and more comfortable with images, abstract thinking is part of what’s commonly called the Abstract Circuitry. It communicates using art and images, music, and stories and likes to draw out wisdom by reviewing past experiences. This circuit is also known as the Sensing Circuit. It is activated by the Solar Plexus Centre, so it tends to be slower and more emotionally based.

Individual thinking

Activated by…well, just by being your own weird self and thinking in your own weird way! Individual thinkers have their own unique mental framework that is constantly restructuring every piece of information into a fresh new perspective. They usually find ways information fits within a big-picture, spiritual framework.

You might have a combination of these circuits or you may have no mental definition at all.

Let’s go explore a few neurodivergent thinkers and see what their mental circuitry looks like!

Greta Thunberg’s Human Design

Greta Thunberg is on the autism spectrum. She has an undefined Head and Ajna Centre, and just that one gate – the Gate of Insight (43) – reaching down for the Throat Centre. This gate is part of the Individual circuitry, which means she has a unique and individual way of putting ideas together. Her undefined Ajna Centre takes in the ideas of others and restructures them according to her own way of thinking. That one gate is activated by Mars, which brings passion and self-belief.

Ryan Gosling’s Human Design

Ryan Gosling has ADHD. His Ajna Centre is defined by the Channel of Structuring. Like Thunberg, he has a unique way of putting his thoughts together. People with this channel (and a defined Ajna Centre) need to talk things over to help them understand what they know on their own terms. Learning in a large classroom is not really supportive for them to reach their full potential. Their minds are constantly rearranging all the pieces of whatever they are thinking about.

He also has Design Uranus (novel ways of thinking) with his Sun (personality) in the Gate of Insight (43) in the Channel of Restructuring. His Mars is in Gate 11, which is part of the abstract, storytelling circuitry. This would give him a passion for his acting career.

Hannah Gadsby’s Human Design

Hannah Gadsby is on the Autism spectrum. She has an Ajna Centre defined by the Logic Circuit. If you’ve watched her comedy show Nanette on Netflix, you will have seen her logical mind at play!

Gadsby’s mental energy naturally turns patterned thought into language. She will fit all incoming information to that mental patterning, and do so with great detail. People with this channel can have difficulty understanding conversation that doesn’t align with how they put information together. It can take time and effort to see the other’s point of view.

My own Design has been so helpful for me in understanding my thinking.

I was frustrated at school. I found the rote learning and group classrooms didn’t suit my focused and highly individual way of thinking. I needed quiet, time, and conversation to really find my own perception. I often found that my ‘take’ on the subjects didn’t quite fit the curriculum!

Neurodivergence is an example of diversity!

People with neurodivergence are just as unique as everyone else. And neurotypical people also have a diverse range of unique qualities. It’s incredibly important for people to identify and claim their neurodivergence at this point in our human development. I also believe we’ll eventually stop labelling people at some stage, and everyone will just be who they are. In the meantime, have a look at your Design to see what your mental circuitry tells you about how you think.