Neurodivergents are known to be very focused, detail-oriented, and creative when it comes to everything, including sports. Some players will get distracted by the environment, but with neurodivergency, especially Autism, they pay attention to what is surrounding them. They notice when the other team has a particular way of doing things, like passing the ball to only certain other players, or a certain weakness that the other players have.
When it comes to players with ADHD, they have extreme focus and can practice for hours without getting distracted, and their quick thinking helps them come up with strategies at the last minute that could be the winning goal for their team.
Whether it’s soccer and being the goalie, or baseball being the catcher at a base, they can sometimes predict what the other team is going to do. They may also have creative strategies that give an advantage to their team. Neurodivergents have a very out-of-the-box way of thinking, which can lead to problem-solving, and the other teams become predictable for what they are going to do. They thrive in fast-paced environments, and make them excellent goalies and sprinters. They excel in repetitive sports, which makes them very good at gymnastics, golf, and swimming, because they want to be perfect, so they practice till they can master the skill.
Players with ADHD and Autism can super focus on the task at hand and have a special interest in sports to help them focus, and outside distractions become no issue. The chaos around sports, the repetitive drills and practices help them become a really great player for their teammates. They especially thrive in sports like swimming and cycling because of the solitary practice it involves and the hyper focus that they need to win the race that they are training and practicing for.
They may struggle with the changing of schedules, riding on buses to get to wherever the game is being played, but if the coach gives them information ahead of the game, it helps them plan, and they will become unstoppable team players. I would love to see a team that is only neurodivergent because some don’t want to try for fear of teasing and bullying. But a team with just neurodivergents would be unstoppable!
