My son stood frozen in the middle of the football pitch, tears streaming down his face. Moments earlier, his fellow defender had been forcefully pushed to the ground with both hands, allowing the opposition striker to break through and score. The referee had let play continue, awarding the goal. The outcome of the game didn’t matter—our team had already won—but the injustice of the situation weighed heavily on my ten year old autistic child. While many football players might react to such unfairness with anger or aggression, his reaction was different. He was upset and, more than anything, confused—confused as to why the referee hadn’t followed the rules that, to him, were clear and absolute.
This wasn’t just about football. For my son, fairness and justice are core values, and when the rules are ignored, it disrupts his understanding of the world. It’s not just frustrating—it’s disorienting. After the game, the sense of order, fairness, and trust in the rules that he relied on had been shattered.
Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD, often exhibit a heightened sensitivity to fairness, making them especially aware of situations that feel unjust or "wrong." A 2014 study[1.] involving over 1,000 participants with ADHD offers the following summarised definition of justice sensitivity:
Justice sensitivity is the tendency of an individual to perceive and react strongly to situations they consider unjust or unfair. It reflects how frequently a person notices injustice and the intensity of their emotional, cognitive, and behavioural responses. People with high justice sensitivity are particularly attuned to issues of fairness and may experience heightened emotional reactions, such as anger, frustration, or anxiety, when they or others are treated unfairly.
Why are Neurodivergent people sensitive to injustice?
Neurodivergent individuals may exhibit sensitivity to injustice for several reasons, rooted in their unique unfiltered cognitive and emotional processing styles, as well as their experiences navigating social interactions. Here are some factors that may contribute to their sensitivity to injustice:
Heightened sense of fairness: Atypicals often have a strong sense of fairness and adherence to values. They may be particularly sensitive to instances where their value-system is compromised or when they perceive unfair treatment, as it disrupts their understanding of how things should be.
Difficulty with ambiguity: Atypicals may struggle with interpreting ambiguous social situations, leading them to rely more heavily on concrete ways of living and controlled expectations. When faced with injustices, the ambiguity of the situation may exacerbate their distress.
Empathy and justice: Contrary to stereotypes, many atypicals demonstrate empathy and compassion towards others. They may be deeply affected by witnessing injustices, as they can empathise with the feelings of those who have been wronged. This empathy can drive their sensitivity to injustice and motivate them to seek fairness and equality.
Social rejection and discrimination: Atypicals face social challenges, including rejection, bullying, and discrimination. These negative experiences can heighten their sensitivity to injustice, as they may have firsthand experience with unfair treatment based on their neurodivergent status.
Rigid thinking patterns: Some atypicals exhibit rigid thinking patterns and may struggle with understanding or accepting deviations from established norms or rules. In situations where they perceive injustice, their rigid thinking may exacerbate their distress and make it challenging for them to reconcile the perceived injustice.
Sense of justice as a coping mechanism: For some atypicals, a strong sense of justice may serve as a coping mechanism to navigate the complexities of social interactions. By adhering to principles of fairness and justice, they may feel a greater sense of control and predictability in their social environments.
Case Study Examples where neurodivergent people may experience injustice
Alex a neurodivergent person, is standing in line at a coffee shop when they see a barista snap at a customer who’s asking questions about the menu. The customer is clearly confused, maybe new to the shop, and just trying to understand the options. The barista, stressed and impatient, cuts them off, making a rude remark about holding up the line.
Even though the interaction isn’t directed at Alex, they feel a sharp sense of injustice. Their heart races, and they feel an overwhelming urge to intervene. To Alex, the situation is not just about one rude comment—it represents unfair treatment. They feel compelled to advocate for the customer, believing no one deserves to be humiliated for asking questions.
Later, even after the event is over, Alex can’t shake the feeling. They replay the scenario in their mind, wondering if they should have spoken up more or done something different. The sense of injustice lingers far longer than it might for others, affecting their mood and thoughts for the rest of the day.
Every individual is different and with this given scenario may act differently; whether they would intervene or observe from a distance depends on their personality type, experience and confidence. For a neurodivergent person it's the level of emotion and sense of injustice that is greatly exaggerated, creating an intense feeling and need for justice. In response neurotypicals might say, "I'm just like that too!" in an attempt to connect empathetically. While well-intentioned, such statements can inadvertently diminish the experiences of autistic individuals by overlooking the unique challenges they face.
An interesting article[2.] links clearly their heart rate before and after confronting injustice. Although looking a the mobile phone screenshot, the phone battery is about to run out which would enough to spike my hear rate!
"Being autistic has always given me a strong sense of justice and fairness, and a burning drive to do the right thing and to fight for it, even when it seems like struggling against the weight of the world."
Examples of neurodivergent people's participation in justice activities in society
A neurodivergent sense of injustice, combined with their ability to hyperfocus, can often fuel an unstoppable drive for positive change. By absorbing the fine details of the unfiltered world around them and attuning to the need for improvement, they become powerful advocates for fairness and progress in their chosen subject.
Neurodiversity Rights Movement: Neurodivergent activists aiming to draw attention to societal injustices and challenge harmful narratives, often amplified by the media, that portray autistic people as violent or as burdens and past research which branded parents as the central cause for autism.
"In this paper[3.], we argue that all autism intervention stakeholders need to understand and actively engage with the views of autistic people and with neurodiversity as a concept and movement."
Charitable Donations and Moral Drives: Many neurodivergent individuals may demonstrate higher tendencies toward donating to charitable causes, particularly those supporting animals and people with disabilities, reflecting a strong moral drive and connection to justice-related issues.
Environmental Change Movement: Atypicals have played key roles in environmental activism over the many decades and more recently with Greta Thunberg openly acknowledging her autism as a "superpower"[4.]; her advocacy for climate action reflects the deep sense of justice and moral clarity often associated with autism. Her straightforward communication style, driven by a focus on facts and fairness, has been pivotal in pushing for systemic changes to combat climate change. Other links stems from the often deep connection neurodivergent people have with nature and animals[5.]; often use as a solace from the unrelenting and unfiltered world they experience. Thus, when this environment is perceived to be in jeopardy it can drive their sensitivity to injustice.
From The Conversation[4.]: In a recent BBC documentary about his life with autism, Packham said that some of the campaigners he works with “either are [autistic] or they have traits of autism, with an aggravated sense of injustice and a deep-rooted desire to tell the absolute truth”.
BBC: Chris Packham. Demystifying autism and overstimulation[6
Self-Care for neurodivergent people with injustice sensitivity
For neurodivergent individuals with a strong sensitivity to injustice, the emotional toll of witnessing unfairness can be intense. Here are some strategies they can use to care for themselves and manage their heightened sense of justice:
Acknowledge and Validate Feelings: Recognise that you have a heightened sense of justice and that it is valid and an important part of who you are. This can be seen as a strength, but it can be draining if not managed.
Set Emotional Boundaries: Practice setting limits on how much you engage with situations that trigger your sense of injustice, especially when they cannot personally change the outcome. Emotional distancing from some issues can help protect your mental and emotional well-being; this may include disengaging from social media. As the saying goes: "pick your battles" and "Focus on what you can control". Remind themselves that they cannot fix every injustice and that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times.
Channel Energy into Productive Action: Choose positive outlets, such as volunteering, advocacy work, or raising awareness. This can help them feel like they are making a difference. Small acts of fairness and kindness can contribute to a sense of agency and impact. Engage in activities that offer emotional relief, like creative hobbies, nature walks, or watching something uplifting.
Find a Support System: Connect with others who share similar values about fairness and justice, but who also understand the emotional intensity that comes with it. Discussing their feelings with trusted friends, family, or a therapist can help provide emotional validation and practical coping strategies.
Practice Mindfulness: Regular relaxation practices, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation, can help them ground themselves when overwhelmed by emotions.
By combining emotional self-awareness, boundaries, and actions that align with their values, neurodivergent individuals can care for themselves better while maintaining their sense of justice.
Conclusion
The experience of my son on the football pitch highlights the intense emotional and cognitive weight that injustice can carry for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those like him with autism. For my son, the unfairness of the referee’s decision wasn’t simply a bad call; it represented a disruption to the clear and absolute rules that he relies on to make sense of the world. This heightened sensitivity to injustice is a common experience for many neurodivergent people. It stems from their deep sense of fairness, empathy, and often rigid thinking patterns, which make deviations from established rules or norms particularly distressing.
However, this sensitivity, while sometimes overwhelming, is also a strength. It allows neurodivergent individuals to see the world with a clarity and moral conviction that drives them to advocate for fairness and equality. By understanding the root causes of this sensitivity and employing strategies for self-care, neurodivergent people can better manage the emotional impact of injustice while continuing to contribute to positive change in their communities.
Bonus Extra: Does justice sensitivity mean neurodivergents can't lie?
With the strong sense of justice it would make sense to associate autistic people with the reduced likelihood to lie. A study[7.] investigates the inclination to lie in autistic and non-autistic adults and explores various factors associated with deception. While autistic individuals might be expected to have a reduced inclination to lie due to difficulties with deception observed in autistic children and adolescents, the study finds no significant difference between autistic and non-autistic adults in their reported inclination to lie in everyday situations.
The study also discusses the concept of camouflaging in autism, which involves masking autistic traits to fit in socially. Camouflaging strategies may involve behaviours that resemble deception, such as withholding personal information. Autistic individuals may employ these strategies to navigate social situations, which could influence their inclination to lie.
The study explores the moral and social factors influencing the propensity to deceive in both autistic and non-autistic adults. It reveals that individuals who perceive lying as morally acceptable are more likely to engage in deceptive behaviour in everyday scenarios. Moreover, self-assessed proficiency in deception emerges as a predictor of lying inclination among autistic adults, who generally rate themselves lower in lying ability compared to their non-autistic counterparts. Nonetheless, the study faces certain limitations, such as reliance on singular cognitive measures for each analysed construct. Notably, the study underscores the role of response time in deception tasks as a key determinant of lying propensity in autistic adults, suggesting that the cognitive demands associated with lying reduce their likelihood to engage in deceitful behaviour.
Reference
Bondü R, Esser G. Justice and rejection sensitivity in children and adolescents with ADHD symptoms. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015 Feb;24(2):185-98. doi: 10.1007/s00787-014-0560-9. Epub 2014 May 31. PMID: 24878677.
https://stimpunks.org/2022/03/16/graph-of-an-autistic-heart-confronting-injustice/
Autistic Self-Advocacy and the Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for Autism Early Intervention Research and Practice. Kathy Leadbitter. Karen Leneh Buckle, Ceri Ellis. Martijn Dekker.PERSPECTIVE article. Front. Psychol., 12 April 2021. Sec. Psychology for Clinical Settings. Volume 12 - 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635690
An ecofeminist critical analysis of work, nature experiences and mental health in the capitalocene. Taylor, L. (Author). Jul 2023.
Demystifying autism and overstimulation. Chris Packham speaks to Dr Luke about sensory overstimulation and autism. Release date:20 February 2023
Bagnall, R., Russell, A., Brosnan, M., & Maras, K. (2024). Autistic adults’ inclination to lie in everyday situations. Autism, 28(3), 718-731. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231183911
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