One reason for this type of thinking is the observation that many people with mental or emotional disorders have strengths. For instance, autistic individuals find language processing and social interactions hard. Still, they can do mathematical feats, identify complex patterns in great detail or do excellent work with computer languages and machines. Most people with ASD have higher nonverbal intelligence scores compared to verbal skills.
Given this striking association, ASD individuals on the ASD spectrum are now often preferred by many companies for dealing with tasks like writing computer manuals, database management, or identifying bugs in software.
Similar unusual skills have been described with dyslexia, like identifying ‘impossible objects’ or processing blurred pictures more efficiently than non-dyslexic peers. This is valuable in various fields, such as molecular biology, engineering, and computer graphics.
IDs like Down syndrome and Williams syndrome are associated with warm and outgoing personalities or musical abilities. Similarly, ADHD is associated with creativity and an adventurous spirit.
It is possible to assign specific roles of value to each of these traits in earlier societies, explaining why they were positively selected. For instance, ADHD traits could have promoted tool making, identifying hunting trails through exploring the environment, quickly recognizing and escaping or fending off danger, and finding food sources and safe places to stay in.
It is wise to recognize that people engage with the world and each other in many ways, drawing conclusions and using different modes of learning and thinking. These differences complement each other, offering a richer and fuller perspective on life.
To you too.