May 17th, 2025

I created this graphic to highlight the specific needs of ADHD and autistic people. I've been growing increasingly tired of the word "neurodivergent" due to its innate assumption that what we think of as "neurotypical" is normal and better. There's a whole separate post I could write about that, more later. For now, I'm debuting my new term "neuroextra", which nods to the unpruned neural pathways that lend us our unique flair.

The chart below can be used to assess your current status and provide guidance for neuroextra health and development. I've included a version of Maslow's original work below for reference.

Nervous system regulation is necessary in every step of the neuroextra hierarchy.