Neurodiversity & Brain Health: From Standardized to Personalized

What Is Neurodiversity, and Why Should We Care?

The concept of neurodiversity was first introduced by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist who drew from her own experience on the autism spectrum. She envisioned neurodiversity as a social justice framework, advocating for the recognition and inclusion of what she termed “neurological minorities”—individuals whose brains function in ways that diverge from societal norms.

Rather than viewing conditions such as autism, ADHD, or learning differences as deficits, the neurodiversity paradigm emphasizes them as naturally occurring variations in human cognition. Today, this growing recognition is reshaping not only how we speak about neurological differences but also how we support them through neuroscience, medicine, and technology.

At Neuroelectrics, we see neurodiversity not as a challenge to overcome, but as a call to personalize brain health solutions for every individual.

Why Is Neurodiversity a Catalyst for Innovation in Brain Health?

Traditional neuroscience and clinical practice often rely on standardized protocols—averaging data across groups, applying fixed EEG templates, and diagnosing based on static checklists. While these methods offer consistency, they can obscure the unique neural profiles that define neurodivergent individuals.

In conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD, brain activity patterns are highly diverse. A one-size-fits-all approach risks missing critical insights, especially in neurodiverse populations. Supporting neurodiversity means developing tools that capture this individual variability and adapt to it, rather than override it.

This is where personalized neuromodulation becomes essential.

How Can Neurotechnology Empower Neurodiverse Individuals?

With advanced EEG and transcranial current stimulation technologies like Enobio and Starstim, Neuroelectrics enables researchers and clinicians to observe and interpret brain activity with precision. This makes it possible to:

• Measure personalized EEG biomarkers in neurodiverse groups

• Track brain dynamics in real time to support adaptive therapies

• Design stimulation protocols tailored to individual cognitive needs

For example, patients may respond differently to neuromodulation, demonstrating interindividual variability of effects of brain stimulation. Indeed, age, brain development, functional and anatomical features of the brain, and head may influence the density and distribution of electrical currents and the effects of stimulation. Moreover, the level of individual cortical excitability and preactivation, as well as the structural and default functional organization of the brain, may influence the results of tDCS. In order to be effective, tDCS has to be adjusted individually.

To achieve this purpose, our team together with a group of partners in the EU_H2020 STIPED project investigated 1) the effect of age and developmental stage of the brain on efficacy of tDCS 2) modeling of electrical current has been studied in specific work packages, 3) and predictors for effects of brain stimulation has been determined in sub studies.

What Does Personalized Neuromodulation Look Like in Practice?

Personalized neuromodulation takes an individual-first approach. It uses the person’s own brain data, not a generalized norm, as the foundation for therapy. This includes:

• Adjusting stimulation frequency, intensity, and timing based on resting-state EEG

• Using brain modeling based on the individual MRI (physical model) to predict how a neurodiverse brain might respond to stimulation, and ultimately adding physiological information for the purpose of neuromodulation optimization (Neurotwin)

• Integrating closed-loop feedback systems to fine-tune protocols in real time

This is especially impactful for individuals on the neurodiversity spectrum, whose needs often fall outside the range of standard clinical guidelines. At Neuroelectrics, we believe every brain deserves a treatment approach that recognizes its unique structure and function

How Can We Champion Neurodiversity in the Future of Brain Health?

Supporting neurodiversity is not just a scientific imperative—it’s an ethical one. As leaders in precision neurotechnology, Neuroelectrics is committed to:

• Developing tools that adapt to diverse brain activity patterns

• Supporting clinicians in designing individualized care plans

• Partnering with researchers to better understand neurodiverse conditions

Whether it’s in a clinical trial for ADHD or a lab exploring autism biomarkers, we aim to build technology that honors and harnesses the strengths of neurodivergent minds.

The future of neuroscience will be inclusive, individualized, and powered by an understanding that neurodiversity enriches our collective intelligence.

Personalized Neurotechnology in Action

We invite clinicians, researchers, and innovators to explore how Neuroelectrics’ EEG brain modeling stimulation systems can support a neurodiversity-informed approach to brain health.

👉 Request a demo and discover how personalized neuromodulation can help you better understand and support diverse brains.

References:

• Singer, Judy. "Odd people in: The birth of community amongst people on the autistic spectrum: A personal exploration of a new social movement based on neurological diversity." Sydney: Faculty of Humanities and Social Science University of Technology, Sydney (1998).

• Baron-Cohen, Simon. "Theory of mind and autism: A review." International review of research in mental retardation 23 (2000): 169-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0074-7750(00)80010-5

• Uddin, Lucina Q., D. R. Dajani, Willa Voorhies, H. Bednarz, and R. K. Kana. "Progress and roadblocks in the search for brain-based biomarkers of autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder." Translational Psychiatry 7, no. 8 (2017): e1218-e1218. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2017.164

• Enriquez-Geppert, Stefanie, René J. Huster, and Christoph S. Herrmann. "Boosting brain functions: Improving executive functions with behavioral training, neurostimulation, and neurofeedback." International Journal of Psychophysiology 88, no. 1 (2013): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2013.02.001