Re-reading Maureen Dunne’s The Neurodiversity Edge over the holidays felt like a powerful call to action—one that is shouting louder and more urgently than ever. Launched last year at Davos, the message is clear: embracing neurominority talent isn’t simply an option in our turbulent, conflicted world – it’s essential. But what is most striking isn’t just how much the world will gain from embracing neuro-different perspectives but how much social attitudes still need to change.

We’re in the middle of what some call a “diagnostic explosion.” Individuals are claiming ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurominority identities at a staggering rate. Experts agree this is not because they are “suddenly appearing” but because awareness is finally catching up with reality. At the same time, social attitudes haven’t kept up with the ‘big reveal.’ For many, a late diagnosis is still a double-edged sword – the relief of discovering your authentic self can come with the high cost of facing stigma and discrimination.

Neuro-different traits can be strengths in some environments. In others, liabilities. In schools, for example, unless appropriate teaching methods and supports are in place, neurominority students can be considered as “problems to be fixed” or a burden on inflexible systems. In many workplaces, “productivity” is synonymous with “conformity,” and individuals face extraordinary pressure to ‘fit in.’ The language of “disorder” is firmly embedded in systems designed by and for neurotypical ways of thinking. And while organizations are starting to wake up to the value of neurodiverse traits, public discourse lags behind and reinforces outdated stereotypes.

That’s why the upcoming Davos Neurodiversity Summit is so significant. By bringing unique perspectives to the World Economic Forum’s main themes and offering insights shaped by diverse ways of thinking and problem-solving, this isn’t just another ‘diversity initiative’ – it’s a cultural showdown. Neurominority voices have been excluded from conversations about policy, education, progress, and innovation for too long- in fact, forever. But at a time when creativity and resilience are the oxygen needed to navigate complex and risky planetary challenges, silencing neuro-distinct voices is not only unfair – it could even put humanity at risk.

As we uncover the real cognitive diversity of the human population, it is time to shift from viewing neuro-minorities as “exceptions” and even “aberrations” to embracing neurodiversity as a vital resource to secure our shared future. It isn’t enough to “accommodate difference” – in an increasingly AI-driven world, we must embrace cognitive diversity as a vital resource to stand any chance of retaining a human ‘edge’.

The recent surge in diagnoses is not simply a coincidence of timing. There must be an evolutionary reason why neurodiverse traits have persisted stubbornly in the human population. When we design systems around dominant social norms, we exclude them. As Einstein pointed out, “We cannot solve our problems with the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” We’ve reached a point where if humanity continues to frame neurodivergence as a “problem,” we risk squandering a key to our survival. What’s needed is nothing short of a social revolution – creating a world where difference isn’t just accepted but embraced as a driving force for survival, growth, and innovation.

In a week when the social media giant Meta announced that it is dismantling its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes across the company to align with politically conservative priorities, the Davos Neurodiversity Summit represents more than an opportunity – it’s a test of how committed to building a future where we value and embrace the diversity of talent that we need. If our leaders can’t embrace new ways of thinking in the face of such dangerous and complex challenges, when will they?

Let this be a moment in history where we dare to reimagine our workplaces, schools, and social structures – not as places that tolerate difference but as spaces where diversity becomes the foundation and driver of progress. After all, as The Neurodiversity Edge reminds us, innovation starts at the edge. It’s time to make that edge central to our thinking and discussions.

Real change starts when we stop asking neuro-different people to ‘fit the mold’ – and start using their insights to help us reshape the mold. If you want to become part of this movement to bring about real social change, sign up here to participate virtually in the Summit. https://www.davosneurodiversitysummit.com  

The Davos Neurodiversity Summit 2025 aims to provide a unique perspective during the World Economic Forum 20-25 January 2025, representing the diverse neurominority global community. Through engaging discussions, we advocate for inclusivity and innovation that leverages the creativity and resilience of neuro-distinct individuals. In Davos, the Summit will offer sensory-friendly Quiet Zone spaces, hiking, meditation, VIP private lunches and dinners, networking opportunities, horseback riding, and more.

The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization, Maureen Dunne. Published by Wiley. https://www.theneurodiversityedge.org