Looking for love? Kiwis now have access to a new dating app tailored to neurodivergent people. Neurodivergence is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological differences that occur in the human brain - including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette Syndrome, dyspraxia - and often influence communication, expression, skills and capabilities. The University of Auckland reports that as many as one in 10 New Zealanders are estimated to live with some form of neurodivergent thinking and behaviour, according to Professor Karen Waldie, neuroscientist at the School of Psychology and the Centre for Brain Research.
“We are all wired differently, and our natural differences can have a direct impact on how we think and learn,” explains university resources on neurodivergence. “While neurological variations can sometimes make it challenging to communicate, express ourselves and interact with others, they also enable strengths and capabilities such as being creative and innovative and having exceptional conceptual and analytical skills.”.