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Understanding your unique strengths

News posted: 30 December, 2024 Post by: Emily Edwards


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What is a cognitive profile?

Everyone has a unique cognitive profile shaped by different cognitive skills. Have you ever noticed how you’re absolutely amazing at some things and find others a real challenge, even impossible at times? Yes? Well, that is all down to your cognitive profile.

The area of cognitive profiles is a crucial area to understand when it comes to understanding your own needs as a neurodivergent person because this underpins so much of our natural and not so natural capabilities and potential.

It is especially relevant when considering your skills, strengths, struggles and interests within a workplace context. More on this later…

When assessing for neurodivergent conditions, professionals look at multiple aspects of cognitive functioning using psychometric testing. For a diagnosis, traits need to show up consistently over time and across different settings. The key areas typically assessed include:

  • Perceptual Reasoning

    This is about problem-solving and visual thinking, like being able to define goals, spot patterns, or identify when something is different from the norm. It's how we navigate complex visual or mechanical tasks.

  • Verbal Comprehension

    This is the ability to ask the right questions, articulate ideas clearly, and connect different concepts. It’s about being able to communicate thoughts effectively and engage with abstract ideas.

  • Processing Speed

    This involves how quickly we can focus our attention, scan information, and make quick decisions - whether it’s reading detailed text or interpreting data on the fly.

  • Working Memory

    This is the skill that allows us to hold onto information just long enough to act on it - whether it’s following directions or juggling multiple tasks in our heads at once.

  • Motor Control

    It covers both fine motor skills (like writing or sewing) and gross motor skills (like balance and coordination).

We all have strengths and struggles in various cognitive areas, and no two profiles look the same. By plotting scores from these assessed areas onto a graph, we can see a visual representation of our unique strengths and struggles.

In the past, such scores were often linked to intelligence and IQ, but there is now a shift towards a more neuro-inclusive approach. Intelligence and IQ as a measure would perpetuate the belief that above average or high scores are superior - when the reality is, there is no one ‘right’ way to be or function. Therefore a shift highlighting areas of relative ease or difficulty in performing tasks recognises cognitive diversity, avoids reducing individuals to a single score and offers a more nuanced understanding of an individual’s overall profile.

What is a spiky profile?

Let me show you a visual representation of a cognitive profile. Often for neurodivergent people these are referred to as a 'spiky profile' because it clearly illustrates their strengths (the peaks) and where there may be more struggles (the troughs).

Interpreting the image

Ease is marked by the dotted grey line.

A generalist thinker (neurotypical - shown in turquoise) is likely to be good at most things with fewer extreme peaks and troughs.

For a specialist thinker (neurodivergent - shown in purple), their strengths and areas of struggle are likely to be more extreme than someone who is a generalist thinker. The work neurodivergent people do at these peaks is likely to be easy or easier for them, whereas in the troughs, they’re likely to find it much more difficult.

These peaks represent the strengths we often see in neurodivergent people, and it's likely these strengths are linked to their passions and things that spark curiosity and wonder. To really thrive and succeed, neurodivergent people need to be working at their best more of the time to access that higher-level thinking and creativity.

And, let's look at the struggles; these are the executive functions that all neurotypes experience challenges with. All aspects of our lives these days demand these exact skills from us a lot of the time:

  • Memory / concentration
  • Organisation
  • Communication
  • Time management

Whether in day-to-day living, relationships, friendships, workplaces, or even during our downtime when engaging with our hobbies and interests.

Executive functions are related to the part of the brain that we need for planning, managing attention, thinking through our actions, and making sense of what’s happening.

How understanding your spiky profile can help you thrive

In my experience as a coach, not many neurodivergent people are aware of their cognitive profile and how their unique spiky profile can support understanding the nuances of their experience. This awareness often leads to that "a-ha!" moment, helping individuals see their strengths and struggles in a new light. When you understand where your cognitive peaks are (where you naturally excel) and where your troughs are (where you may face more challenges) it opens up opportunities for deeper self-understanding.

  • The Danger of Internalised Labels

    How negative labels can impact self-esteem and self-image.

    Not understanding your spiky profile can lead to harmful self-labeling. Many neurodivergent individuals have internalized negative labels like “lazy,” “stupid,” or “scatterbrained.” These labels can create unnecessary shame, reinforcing a negative self-image and perpetuating the belief that struggles in certain areas reflect a lack of ability or effort.

  • Flipping the Narrative

    Reframing struggles as opportunities for self-compassion and empowerment.

    Recognising that some tasks are simply harder for you, and that your strengths lie elsewhere, can be liberating. By understanding your unique cognitive profile, you can replace shame with self-compassion, embracing the diversity of your brain. This allows you to see your true potential and strengths, rather than viewing yourself through the lens of outdated labels.

  • Tailoring Your Approach

    Using your strengths and seeking support where needed.

    When you understand your spiky profile, you can adjust your approach to tasks, work environments, and relationships. By recognising your strengths, you can focus on leveraging them more effectively. And when needed, you can confidently ask for support, creating conditions that enable you to thrive.

  • Empowering Workplaces

    The benefits of recognising spiky profiles in the workplace.

    Employers who understand spiky profiles can foster more inclusive environments where neurodivergent employees feel empowered to do their best work. Recognising and embracing cognitive diversity benefits everyone, creating workplaces where individuals thrive.

  • Embrace Your Authentic Self

    Unlocking self-awareness and compassion through cognitive understanding.

    Ultimately, understanding your cognitive profile isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about creating the right conditions for you to thrive. When you work with your spiky profile, rather than against it, you unlock new levels of self-awareness, compassion, and empowerment.

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#Strengths-based approach #Neurodiversity #Employment #Executive functions