Survival of the Quirky: How Neurodivergence Helped Humanity Thrive
In my book, No Place for Autism?, I explore the evolutionary origins of autism through the lens of Jared Reser’s Solitary Forager Hypothesis of autism. This hypothesis suggests that autism traits may have been adaptive in ancestral environments by promoting success in solitary foraging. It posits that the enhanced focus, attention to detail, and reduced social engagement associated with autism could have been beneficial for individuals engaged in solitary foraging activities.
Recent research has begun to investigate similar evolutionary explanations for other parts of the neurodivergent spectrum, such as ADHD. A study by Barack et al., published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, investigated the link between ADHD traits and foraging behaviour using a computational task. The authors hypothesised that ADHD traits, such as increased exploratory behaviour and reduced time spent in a single resource patch, may have conferred advantages in ancestral foraging contexts.
The results of the study by Barack et al. could be seen as complementary to the Solitary Forager Hypothesis. Their findings provide empirical evidence for a link between ADHD traits and exploratory foraging behaviour. In the study, participants completed a virtual foraging task where they collected resources from patches that gradually depleted. Participants with higher scores on the ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) exhibited shorter patch residence times but surprisingly achieved higher overall reward rates compared to those with lower ASRS scores. These findings suggest that ADHD traits may be associated with increased exploration and more efficient foraging strategies.
The Solitary Forager Hypothesis and the study by Barack et al. share a common theme of investigating the potential evolutionary advantages of neurodivergent traits in ancestral foraging environments. The empirical evidence provided by Barack et al. lends support to the central idea of my book – that traits associated with neurodivergent traits may have been shaped by natural selection in the context of foraging.
To further explore these evolutionary hypotheses and build upon the ideas presented in my book, future research could aim to integrate the findings from studies on autism and ADHD traits in the context of foraging behaviour. Investigating the similarities and differences between the foraging strategies associated with these traits could provide valuable insights into their evolutionary origins and potential adaptive functions. Additionally, studies combining computational modeling, experimental tasks, and ecological data from hunter-gatherer populations could help to validate and refine these hypotheses.
As such, the study by Barack et al. provides compelling evidence for a link between ADHD traits and exploratory foraging behaviour, complementing the Solitary Forager Hypothesis that underpins the ideas presented in my book. These findings contribute to a growing body of research investigating the evolutionary origins of neurodivergent traits and highlight the importance of considering ancestral environments when seeking to understand the adaptive functions of these traits.
Neurodivergence is helpful. Who knew?
Well, well, well, isn't it just shocking that yet another study has stumbled upon the groundbreaking revelation that traits associated with neurodivergence might have actually been beneficial in the past? It's not like this concept has been explored before, right? Wrong! In fact, it seems like every time researchers dig into the evolutionary origins of neurodivergence, they end up unearthing evidence that these traits have been instrumental in helping humanity navigate the challenges of survival.
Take the recent study, for example. They set out to investigate the link between ADHD traits and foraging behaviour, probably expecting to find some sort of deficit or disadvantage. But lo and behold, what did they discover? Participants with higher scores on the ADHD Self-Report Scale actually exhibited more efficient foraging strategies and achieved higher overall reward rates compared to those with lower scores. Well, duh! It's almost as if having increased exploratory behaviour and the ability to quickly move on from depleted resources might have been a valuable skill in ancestral environments where food was scarce and competition was fierce.
This finding is just the latest in a long line of studies that have reached similar conclusions. Reser’s Solitary Forager Hypothesis proposes that autism traits may have been adaptive for solitary foraging. Enhanced focus, attention to detail, and reduced social engagement – traits often associated with autism – could have been highly advantageous for individuals tasked with finding food on their own. It’s not rocket science to see how these traits might have helped our ancestors survive and pass on their genes.
So, here we are, with yet another study confirming what many of us have long suspected: neurodivergence isn’t just some random glitch in human evolution. It’s a testament to the incredible diversity of human cognition and a reminder that what we often label as “disorders” today may have been the very traits that allowed our species to thrive in the face of adversity. It's about time we start recognising the value of neurodivergence and embracing the unique strengths and perspectives it brings to the table.
In a world that constantly seeks to pathologize and “cure” neuro-developmental differences, studies like these serve as a much-needed reality check. They remind us that the very traits they often view as liabilities may have been the key to our survival as a species. So, the next time someone tries to argue that neurodivergence is nothing more than a disorder in need of fixing, feel free to hit them with a resounding “Well, duh!” and point them to the growing body of research that says otherwise.