What Is Neurotypical, Neurodivergent and Neurodiversity?

There are two terms that started boosting in popularity around the 1990’s. They are neurotypical and neurodivergent. These two terms describe people. It is not a medical term, nor is it a condition or diagnosis. They are terms that focus on the fact that people’s brains may process things differently, not be deficits in people’s abilities. These terms stem from the thought that there are no two brains that are exactly the same. Your brain can process information, function, and present behaviourally completely different than another person’s. Even twins have different brain functions then each other. Using terms like neurotypical and neurodivergent may develop how developmental disorders are thought about.

Neurodivergent

Neurodivergent individuals can have very mild symptoms that most people may not even notice, while others may have more obvious signs of neurodivergent. It may go unnoticed until adulthood. Using the term neurodivergent may refer to individuals who fall on the autism spectrum disorder, have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, Prader-Willi syndrome, social anxiety, depression, or obsessive compulsive disorder. Using the term neurodivergent leans more to the side that these neurological issues don’t need a cure. That neurological differences are ok and should be respected and celebrated.

Sometimes people who are neurodivergent don’t know they are until adulthood. Usually these conditions that cause the brain to process things differently occur at birth they don’t happen over time. In some cases there are acquired neurological disorders that can cause you to fall under the neurodivergent category. These are traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or Alzheimer’s disease.

People who are neurodivergent may see more challenges than others. They may have trouble in social situations, or learning to properly communicate. They may also not take social cues effectively, or know how to read someone’s facial expressions or body language. They may show little emotion when talking to someone or not know how to show empathy to others. Someone who is neurodivergent may have an intense focus on one subject. There may be a struggle to adapt to change. Another challenge may be sensory issues with lights, noises, tastes, or smells.

Though there may be challenges, people who are neurodivergent can have a lot of different strengths as well. Neurodivergent people tend to have intense focus on a certain subject. When a task or subject interests them they have higher motivation to pursue that task. Since they don’t understand sarcasm, they tend to be very straightforward in their speaking and tend to always be honest. They can have the ability to be extremely observant and detail oriented. Another strength can be they have a good memory, and excel at repetitive skills or jobs. A higher than average ability in math, music, or art.

No two neurodivergent people are the same. Do not assume they are incapable or unintelligent. Speak to them in clear communication. Skip the sarcasm or metaphors because their brains cannot always pick up on these two things. Listen to them when they are telling you how best they learn, or what they can and cannot handle.

Neurotypical

Neurotypical is a term for someone who has typical neurological development and functioning. These people usually hit their age appropriate standards, and function and behave per the social norm. A neurotypical person will have no problems with social interactions. There will be no speech delays as a child that were identified. No sensory issues with lights, noises, smells, or tastes. A neurotypical person will have the ability to adapt to change. Even if you fall in the category of neurotypical you can also still have dyslexia, dyspraxia, AHDD, or other neurological differences. Neurotypical just means that behaviors fall within the expected boundaries of the social standard. They act more typical, or how you would expect someone to act.

Typical neurotypical characteristics are being able to hold a steady, normal, conversation with eye contact while you are speaking or someone is speaking to you. Being able to pay attention to someone who is speaking to you. The ability to show interest and empathy to someone else. Recognizing body language and facial cues from another person. Knowing the difference between a literal meaning and an abstract meaning. The ability to jump from one topic to the next. Ability to work in groups of other people.

Neurodiversity

Neurotypical is a term for people who think, learn, and behave in the societal norm. Workplaces and schools are designed for people who are neurotypical. Neurodivergent is a term used for someone who’s brain processes, functions, and behaves differently than the normal. Neurodiversity is a term used for the thought that all brain’s think, learn, and behave differently, instead of being deficits of a neurological condition.