Professor Amanda Kirby, CEO of Do-IT Solutions., Campaigner for Neurodiversity, Medic, Knowledge Translator, researcher.

Originally published as part of The Neurodiversity 101 LinkedIn Newsletter.

Humanophile

At a World Economic Forum session, Heidi Phillips introduced a term that resonated deeply: humanophile — someone who seeks out remarkable, diverse human beings. It sparked a personal reflection.

(Etymology of humanist: 1580s, “student of the classical humanities, one accomplished in literature and classical culture,” from French humaniste (16c.), formed on model of Italian umanista “student of human affairs or human nature,” coined by Italian poet Lodovicio Ariosto (1474-1533), from Latin humanus “human” (see human (adj.).

That is me… I love to seek out people who are in reality not that rare but do diverge away from what is seen as common or typical human being. I like the ‘odd one out’ as they offer a different view on the world. I have always seen myself as a bit of an odd-bod! (*”Odd bod” is a British term, a contraction of “odd body,” referring to a strange person and dating back to the 18th century.)

I’ve come to realise: those we call rare are often not rare at all. They are simply less recognised, less accommodated, or less valued in systems designed around what’s considered typical.

Many neurodivergent people live on the margins of ‘mainstream’ narratives — not due to lack of potential, but due to lack of fit. But what is fit and why do we have to fit? I am not naïve to think that if we had no conformity and no rules society would be chaotic and incredibly difficult to organise. This is also why we devised education and industrial systems to be efficient and work in consistent ways. However with technology we have the opportunity to deliver information in a variety of formats… think how we don’t blink an eye if we do a ‘voice message’, a text, an emoji, or make a call these days… we don’t think it unusual at all that there are ramps, stairs, elevators/lifts, or escalators, travelators to get from A to B in a building. These innovations often came from necessity to try to access society in some way … to fit in… to get in .. to be there…

In a society obsessed with norms, the neurodivergent among us often hold the keys to progress. When we design from the edges we can all gain value in this.

Many of the most influential scientists, artists, and thinkers had minds that didn’t conform:

• Nikola Tesla saw energy where others saw empty air.
• Emily Dickinson wrote from solitude, revealing vast inner worlds.
• Alan Turing, often misunderstood socially, reimagined intelligence and helped end a war.
• Temple Grandin transformed animal welfare by thinking in pictures

To be a humanophile in this context is to move from merely tolerating difference to valuing it.

When we widen the lens and move away from deficit-based narratives, we see that neurodivergence is not just a set of diagnoses — it’s a call to reimagine systems where people can thrive in ways that work for them.

Why does this matter?

Because curiosity about difference builds inclusion.

Asking us all – how could we do this differently creates innovative solutions.

Because society thrives not just on sameness but on creative friction.

Because true innovation often begins with those who see the world sideways.

Let’s stop viewing divergent minds as rare artefacts — and instead recognise them as essential architects of a more humane, dynamic, and adaptive world.

Being a humanophile means finding beauty in the unexpected and value in what diverges.

Let’s keep looking.

Blog Author

I am Amanda Kirby, CEO of Do-IT Solutions a tech-for-good company that delivers thought provoking consultancy and neuroinclusive guidance and training. We have developed cutting edge web-based screening tools that have helped 10s of 1000s of people. We strive to deliver person-centered solutions relating to neurodiversity and wellbeing.

I am a mixed bag of experiences and skills, an odd ball… and have 25+ years of working in the field of neurodiversity.

I am a medical doctor, Professor, and have a Ph.D. in the field of neurodiversity; parent and grandparent to neurodivergent wonderful kids and am neurodivergent myself.

Theo Smith and I wrote the UK award-winning book Neurodiversity at Work Drive Innovation, Performance, and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce. My 10th book came out called Neurodiversity and Education in March this year. Excitingly, Theo and I have another book coming out next year!