New Insights into Friendship Patterns Among Neurodivergent Individuals
A groundbreaking study reveals that neurodivergent individuals often form friendships within their neurotype, highlighting unique social connection patterns and the cultural significance of ND friendships.
Recent research conducted by Abertay University offers comprehensive insights into how neurodivergent (ND) individuals form and maintain friendships. The study emphasizes a notable tendency for ND people to build stronger connections with others who share their neurotype. The findings reveal that individuals with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent conditions often have more friends within their own neurotype, with autistic participants reporting especially high numbers of autistic friends.
The study, published in Neurodiversity, is one of the first large-scale efforts to objectively analyze how neurodiverse people experience friendship networks and why these connections are significant. Traditionally, assumptions suggested that ND individuals naturally gravitate toward one another, but concrete evidence was limited. This research clarifies that shared neurotypes influence friendship patterns and that ND individuals often have a different but equally meaningful way of connecting.
Personal accounts from over 170 participants shed light on both the challenges and benefits of neurotype-based friendships. Many highlighted the ease of communication, mutual understanding, and a sense of emotional safety within ND–ND friendships. Conversely, cross-neurotype relationships sometimes pose communication challenges, but also unique opportunities for growth.
Dr. Rebecca Sharman, the lead researcher, suggests that ND friendships function almost as a distinct cultural practice, with their own norms, communication styles, and emotional dynamics. She emphasizes that these relationships are valid and enriching, challenging the long-held belief that ND individuals are less interested in or capable of making friends. Instead, her findings show that ND friendships are successful, meaningful, and deserve recognition.
This research underscores the importance of understanding friendship as a diverse and multifaceted aspect of social life, particularly in the context of neurodiversity. Recognizing and celebrating these unique connection patterns can foster greater inclusion and appreciation for different ways of relating.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-highlights-neurodivergent-friendship-patterns.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Resilience as a Key Factor in Mitigating Emotional Challenges in Girls with Juvenile Fibromyalgia
A recent study reveals that resilience significantly protects emotional health and brain function in girls with juvenile fibromyalgia, opening new avenues for psychological interventions to improve their quality of life.
The Role of Social Skills in Accelerating Recovery from Early-Stage Schizophrenia
New research highlights the importance of social inference skills in speeding up recovery from early schizophrenia, suggesting targeted social cognition training can improve daily functioning and long-term outcomes.
Understanding Who Benefits Most from Digital Well-Being Applications
A recent Finnish study reveals how individual characteristics influence the adoption and engagement with digital well-being apps, highlighting the importance of personalized approaches for promoting mental wellness.
How Body Image Cyberbullying Impacts the Brain of Teenage Girls
A groundbreaking study reveals how body image-related cyberbullying activates emotional and social brain regions in teenage girls, highlighting neurological impacts and the need for greater awareness and protective measures.