Understanding the Effects of Reduced Synaptic Pruning on Neurodivergent Minds

Recent research has found that reduced synaptic pruning - the natural process by which the brain trims unused neural connections - may play a key role in how neurodivergent people experience and process the world.

During infancy, there is a period of increased synaptic development. From birth through adolescence, synaptic pruning occurs following the initial overgrowth. This process optimises the neural network by removing underused connections. This process is considered to enhance learning and increase brain efficiency. However, it could be considered how the impact of the reduced pruning, sensory sensitivity, and other heightened experiences inhibits some individuals' capacity to take in new information. Further studies would be needed to ascertain the actual impact of synaptic pruning on learning and efficiency when the additional stimuli are removed.

In a neurotypical brain, pruning is believed to increase efficiency by strengthening specific pathways and removing others. But in a neurodivergent brain, this pruning process may be reduced, leaving more neural connections intact. This difference can directly influence sensory sensitivity, social processing, attention to detail, and many of the rich, complex traits associated with a neurodivergent way of being.

Because there are more active connections, information can travel along multiple routes simultaneously. This may help explain why many neurodivergent people experience several streams of thought simultaneously, appearing to “jump” from one idea to another. Their brains are literally making more connections between experiences, allowing more associations to come into awareness at once.

So what does this mean for a neurodivergent individual?

It can mean a mind that processes with remarkable creativity, often described as “thinking outside the box.” It can mean seeing details others might overlook and accessing complex information quickly, as more pathways fire in harmony.

At the same time, these enhanced connections can also make it harder to filter out sensory or emotional input. This can lead to overstimulation and overwhelm when too many sensory, visual, or auditory signals are received at once.

Interestingly, connections have also been drawn between savant skills and reduced synaptic pruning. Statistics indicate that savant skills occur more frequently in the autistic population than among neurotypicals. Though studies have stated the current statistics could be higher than initially suspected.

Imagine the neural pathways as roads: in a neurodivergent brain, there are numerous roads to choose from at the start of a journey. Sometimes, you might travel down a road only to find it ends abruptly, halting the thought. Other times, the road may take you on a scenic detour away from the original idea, yet still connected if you trace the path backwards. As a side note, many ADHD individuals can explain how they transition from discussing their latest interest to reminiscing about a holiday from 10 years ago, linked by colour, smell, ideas, or other experiences that the brain uses to connect their current thought process.

In a neurotypical brain, thoughts tend to move from A to B in a more straightforward manner. Without extra synaptic firing creating multiple connections, the thought process is linear.

As is frequently the case with research and new insights, many questions remain unanswered. However, I believe that the concept of differing brain structures beautifully illustrates the uniqueness of each neurodivergent individual, highlighting why everyone should be respected, valued, and allowed to be their authentic selves. This is why I work in a person-centred manner, where the natural potential of each individual is not only acknowledged but valued and given the space to thrive. My goal is to walk with you as you become the best version of yourself.