Neurodevelopmental disorders are traditionally characterised by a range of associated cognitive impairments in, for example, sensory processing, facial recognition, visual imagery, attention, and coordination. In this critical review, we propose a major reframing, highlighting the variety of unique cognitive strengths that people with neurodevelopmental differences can exhibit. These include enhanced visual perception, strong spatial, auditory, and semantic memory, superior empathy and theory of mind, along with higher levels of divergent thinking. Whilst we acknowledge the heterogeneity of cognitive profiles in neurodevelopmental conditions, we present a more encouraging and affirmative perspective of these groups, contrasting with the predominant, deficit-based position prevalent throughout both cognitive and neuropsychological research. In addition, we provide a theoretical basis and rationale for these cognitive strengths, arguing for the critical role of hereditability, behavioural adaptation, neuronal-recycling, and we draw on psychopharmacological and social explanations. We present a table of potential strengths across conditions and invite researchers to systematically investigate these in their future work. This should help reduce the stigma around neurodiversity, instead promoting greater social inclusion and significant societal benefits.

中文翻译：

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神经发育障碍、病症和差异的认知优势：批判性评论

神经发育障碍传统上以一系列相关的认知障碍为特征，例如感觉处理、面部识别、视觉意象、注意力和协调性。在这篇批判性评论中，我们提出了一个重大的重构，强调具有神经发育差异的人可以表现出的各种独特的认知优势。这些包括增强的视觉感知、强大的空间、听觉和语义记忆、卓越的同理心和心理理论，以及更高水平的发散性思维。虽然我们承认神经发育条件下认知特征的异质性，但我们对这些群体提出了更加令人鼓舞和肯定的观点，这与认知和神经心理学研究中普遍存在的基于缺陷的主导立场形成鲜明对比。此外，我们为这些认知优势提供了理论基础和基本原理，论证了遗传性、行为适应、神经元循环的关键作用，并借鉴了心理药理学和社会解释。我们列出了各种条件下的潜在优势表格，并邀请研究人员在未来的工作中系统地研究这些优势。这应该有助于减少围绕神经多样性的耻辱，而不是促进更大的社会包容性和显着的社会效益。