Justice Sensitivity Is Plaguing Autistic & ADHD Individuals—Here's What to Know

Justice sensitivity refers to an individual’s sense of fairness, equity, and inclusion, as well as their need to address and correct injustices. Most people would describe themselves as having some level of justice sensitivity, though the intensity to which they focus on issues of justice and equity will vary, like all traits.

Some people experience extremely high justice sensitivity, which can impact how they respond to perceived injustice and wrongdoing in the world around them. Autistic and ADHD individuals in particular tend to have higher levels of justice sensitivity compared to neurotypicals. While not every neurodivergent person reports high justice sensitivity, and many people with high justice sensitivity are not autistic or ADHD, this can be an autistic or ADHD trait.

Additionally, justice sensitivity can be impacted by other aspects of a person's identity. Those who are marginalized in other ways (for instance, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ people, et cetera) may be more focused on justice due to increased awareness resulting from personal experiences with oppression.

This article describes justice sensitivity and how it manifests in autistic and ADHD people in particular.

What Does It Mean to Have Justice Sensitivity?

An individual's justice sensitivity is the degree to which they are aware of issues of equity, equality, fairness, and other justice issues. When someone is highly justice-sensitive, they are more acutely aware of these issues, noticing injustices when they happen and working hard to bring injustice to others’ attention and correct it.

Those with high justice sensitivity are also more likely to remain focused on justice issues with more intensity and for a longer period of time than those with lower justice sensitivity. They may be driven to take action to correct injustices around them. They may also find themselves drained or burned out by the many injustices that occur around the world every day.

What Causes Justice Sensitivity in Autistic People?

As we have noted, an individual does not have to be autistic to experience justice sensitivity. However, some common autistic traits can explain why autistic people are more likely to experience justice sensitivity.

• First, many autistic people experience special interests, or a highly intense passion for a topic. This is not a simple hobby or passing fascination; an autistic person with a special interest may spend an unlimited amount of time researching, learning, talking about, interacting with, or completing projects related to their special interest. For some, that special interest is justice.
  
• Second, autistic brains tend to hyperfocus on topics or problems until they find a solution. When faced with injustice, some autistic people will hyperfocus on it unless and until an equitable solution is identified.
• Third, autistic people experience traumatic events at a higher rate than the rest of the population, including abuse and discrimination. Autistics are much more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives compared to those who are not autistic. First-hand experience of mistreatment and injustice can cause some people to focus on ensuring that no one else has to suffer as they did. This is also why autistic people with other marginalized identities might be even more justice sensitive.
• Finally, justice sensitivity involves doing what is morally right and just overdoing what is easy or following directives from authority. Research has shown that autistic people are less likely to respond to appeals to authority and more likely to focus on fairness and equity over loyalty.

What Causes Justice Sensitivity in ADHDers?

Again, while not all people who experience justice sensitivity have ADHD (and not everyone who has ADHD experiences justice insensitivity), there are ADHD traits that can increase the probability that someone will be more sensitive to injustice.

• First, like autistic individuals, ADHDers can experience hyper-focus, though for slightly different reasons. Although ADHD is often described as involving a "deficit" of attention, it can be more accurately described as struggling to decide what that attention will focus on. Many ADHD ers find themselves unable to turn off their hyper-focus. When that focus is pointed at a justice issue, it can be difficult to disengage.
• Second, like autistics, ADHDers are at a higher rater for experiencing trauma and are diagnosed with PTSD at a higher rate than neurotypicals, increasing first-hand experience of injustice. Again, this often means that those with intersecting marginalized identities are more aware of the importance of justice.
• Third, ADHDers tend to experience emotions more intensely than those without ADHD. This means that, when an ADHDer becomes angry about injustice, they feel that anger more strongly than someone who does not have ADHD. Anger can be highly motivating.
  

Justice Sensitivity in AuDHD

AuDHD refers to when someone is both ADHD and autistic. Those who experience justice sensitivity due to a combination of ADHD and autistic traits might have an even more intense perception of justice.

What Are the Benefits of Justice Sensitivity?

Caring about others and wanting to see justice prevail in the world are positive qualities. They reflect compassion and often empathy, and they drive us to help and support each other.

People who have high justice sensitivity often make excellent advocates because they are driven to fight for change and address injustice whenever they see it, refusing to tolerate inequity, bigotry, and other justice issues. They educate others about justice issues and demand positive change in the world around them. They can point out unfairness and inequality, helping others advocate for themselves.

When turned inward, justice sensitivity helps individuals self-advocate and articulate their needs to those who can help them. They can call out harmful behaviors and exercise their right for respect, support, and (when appropriate) accommodations.

What Are the Drawbacks of Justice Sensitivity?

Although a strong sense of justice can be a wonderful thing, there are also drawbacks that accompany high justice sensitivity, particularly for autistic and ADHD individuals.

Because special interests can be intense and all-consuming, an autistic or ADHD person with a special interest or hyperfocus in justice issues may find themselves seeking out information on various injustices. They may engage in doomscrolling on social media, constantly exposing themselves to injustice after injustice. While they may hope to bring attention to these issues and correct them, the constant barrage of injustice can be draining and exhausting.

Additionally, we presently live in a society where harm seems to be around every corner. Many justice advocates report struggling with the concept of “ethical consumption” when every product creates harm somewhere along the supply chain. Those with high justice sensitivity can struggle with basic survival when it is impossible to buy ethically sourced food or exist in the world without having a carbon footprint. Attempting to honor your justice ideals in a world that makes this impossible is exhausting.

Caring for Yourself When You Have High Justice Sensitivity

If you experience high justice sensitivity, these tips can help you learn to balance your well-being and ideals:

• Choose your battles. It is literally impossible to address every justice issue in the world by yourself. To mitigate burnout, choose the issues that are most important to you, and set boundaries around your involvement in other areas. You can focus on things you are most passionate about and that play to your knowledge.
• Set boundaries. Since hyperfocus can cause autistic and ADHD individuals to become completely engrossed in causes, having boundaries around your advocacy work can ensure you save space and energy for your self-care.
• Remember that you deserve the support you offer others. It is tempting to give and give, spreading yourself too thin. Extend the same compassion you have for others towards yourself, and make sure your needs are met because you also matter.
• Notice signs of burnout. Keep track of indications that you might be doing too much or that you might be sliding into burnout. When these things pop up, step back and make time for your needs before you hit a crisis point.

Most qualities can be strengths or cause deficits depending on the context and severity, and justice sensitivity is no exception. It is not wrong to care about issues and want to make the world a better place, but it is important to take care of yourself along the way.