Overview
Neurodivergent people may think, learn, communicate, or experience the world in ways that differ from neurotypical expectations. These differences can come with meaningful strengths, as well as areas where someone may benefit from additional support. Modern Health supports neurodivergent conditions through digital resources and one-on-one care with coaches, therapists, and psychiatric practitioners.
What Is Neurodivergence?
Neurodiversity describes the many different ways people’s brains work. Neurodivergent people process information, communicate, focus, learn, move, socialize, or respond to sensory input differently from neurotypical norms or expectations.
To be clear, neurodivergence is not a deficit. Many neurodivergent people have meaningful strengths, such as creativity, focus, pattern recognition, problem-solving, empathy, persistence, or unique ways of seeing and understanding the world. At the same time, some neurodivergent people may need support in certain areas of daily life.
Many conditions fall under neurodivergence, and there aren't any specific symptoms or challenges that affect everyone in this category.
Common neurodivergent experiences can include:
ADHD: Chronic condition that can affect attention, impulse control, and activity level
Autism: Developmental condition that may affect social communication, sensory processing, routines, and focused interests or strengths
Dyslexia: Learning difference that can affect reading, spelling, and language processing
Dyspraxia: Developmental difference that can affect movement and coordination
Down syndrome: Genetic condition associated with intellectual and developmental differences
Synesthesia: Neurological experience in which one sense may be perceived through another, such as associating sounds with colors
Neurodivergence and Mental Health
Neurodivergent people are at an increased risk of experiencing certain mental and physical health concerns. For example, it is common for people diagnosed with ADHD to experience anxiety. Factors like genetics, the stress of managing neurodivergence, lack of support, stigma, sensory overwhelm, social isolation, masking, or difficulty accessing environments that meet their needs can all contribute.
Common mental health concerns for neurodivergent individuals can include:
Mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)
Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Substance use disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
How Modern Health Can Help
Modern Health offers support for neurodivergent concerns like improving focus and concentration, organizing daily activities, regulating emotions, improving sleep hygiene, managing anxiety and stress, building stronger relationships, and more. Each of these can be worked on with a provider (such as a coach or therapist), through our digital content, and in Circles.
Modern Health does not offer every form of care specific to neurodivergent conditions; for example, we do not currently offer applied behavioral analysis or prescription of controlled substances (such as stimulants like Adderall).
Modern Health makes it easy to find a provider who can help—whether that's a coach to help you support a loved one with neurodivergent concerns or a therapist using evidence-based approaches.
Note: Access to certain features and services depends on the benefit package selected by your company.
1:1 Care
When you join Modern Health, you can complete a brief assessment and match with a provider to support your emotional health. A certified coach can help you deal with difficult emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build habits of gratitude and mindfulness. A therapist can help reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression using evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
If you feel comfortable, talk with your coach or therapist about how being neurodivergent relates to your emotional well-being and the goals you're working toward.
Emotional Well-Being
Across such a diverse group of people, we see many unique strengths in emotional processing and empathy, and at the same time, many experience difficulties managing emotions and may be more susceptible to mental health concerns due to social isolation and stigma.
Common emotional challenges include:
Stress and anxiety
Depression or low mood
Overwhelm while trying to focus
Sleep issues leading to increased distress
Emotional regulation
Relationship stress
Organizing daily activities and routines
Digital Resources
Social Well-Being
While many neurodivergent people thrive socially, others may experience difficulties with social communication and interaction, making it harder to build or maintain relationships.
Common social challenges include:
Social anxiety
Understanding nonverbal cues
Making and maintaining friendships
Digital Resources
Coaching
Work with a certified coach to find new ways to deepen your connections and build better communication with loved ones and within your community.
Professional Well-Being
While some common neurodivergent characteristics, like creativity, are an asset in the workplace, neurodivergence may also impact a person's ability to perform certain work activities.
Common professional challenges include:
Difficulty concentrating
Challenges with staying on schedule
Physical illnesses affecting performance
Digital Resources
Coaching
A certified career coach can help you gain skills that support your professional success and help you identify and work toward your short and long-term goals.
Financial Well-Being
While some neurodivergent people excel in finance and entrepreneurship, differences in cognitive processing, communication, and decision-making may make managing money more challenging.
Common financial challenges include:
Impulsive spending
Difficulty keeping track of finances or planning for the future
Finding and maintaining employment
Digital Resources
Coaching
Work with a financial coach to review your spending habits, set a budget that fits your lifestyle, and improve your money management mindset.
Physical Well-Being
Neurodivergent people may be more susceptible to certain health conditions or have difficulty managing their physical health needs.
Common physical health challenges include:
Gastrointestinal or digestive issues
Sleep disorders
Substance use concerns
Feeling unable to settle down or sit still
Digital Resources
Coaching
A certified coach will help you develop a sustainable plan incorporating the best sleep, exercise, and recovery practices for you.