Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionWho Is Neurodiverse?Traits and ExamplesEvolving UnderstandingImportanceAccommodationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Who Is Neurodiverse?
Traits and Examples
Evolving Understanding
Importance
Accommodations
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms “neurodivergent” and “neurodiverse” refer to people whose thought patterns, behaviors, or learning styles fall outside of what is considered “normal,” orneurotypicalof humans. Neurodivergence embraces the idea that differences in thehuman brainare natural and, in many cases, can lead to meaningful and positive insights and abilities.
The concept of neurodiversity is gaining traction as both neurodiverse and neurotypical people are finding that differences are not necessarily disabilities. Some differences can be real strengths.
This article discusses what it means to be neurodivergent, types of neurodiversity, and related signs. It also addresses how to accommodate a person who is neurodiverse.
What Neurodivergent Means
The term was intended to be comparable to the term “biodiversity,” which refers to the diversity of all living things. Neurodiversity refers to the variety of ways all people think and behave.
While brains can work differently in autistic people or those with an ADHD diagnosis, they’re still along a continuum of human experience so that both strengths (like highly focused attention) and challenges (likestimming, or repetitive motion behaviors) exist within neurodivergence.
Making Sense of the TermsNeurodivergent:A noun referring to the diversity or variation of cognitive functioning in all peopleNeurodiverse:An adjective typically used to describe neurodivergent peopleNeurodivergence:A noun referring to cognitive functioning which is not considered typical or “normal"Neurodivergent:An adjective describing people who have a neurodivergenceNeurotypical:An adjective describing people whose cognitive and social behaviors fall within traditional norms
Making Sense of the Terms
Neurodivergent:A noun referring to the diversity or variation of cognitive functioning in all peopleNeurodiverse:An adjective typically used to describe neurodivergent peopleNeurodivergence:A noun referring to cognitive functioning which is not considered typical or “normal"Neurodivergent:An adjective describing people who have a neurodivergenceNeurotypical:An adjective describing people whose cognitive and social behaviors fall within traditional norms
The neurodiverse population includes people with specific diagnoses that are considered developmental disorders (as opposed to intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses). These include but are not limited to:
It is possible to become neurodiverse as the result of a physical or emotional injury or trauma, but in most cases, neurodiversity exists from birth onward and includes many unknowns about the future.
Neurodivergence is often first recognized at the time of a diagnosis. Of course, neurodivergent behaviors and thinking exist before that. There are also individuals with related symptoms but without diagnoses who consider themselves neurodiverse.
Research is ongoing into the genetic and environmental causes of disorders such as autism and ADHD, and there is no doubt that many people are simply born with atypical brains.
The term “neurodiversity” is rarely applied to mental health disorders such asschizophrenia,depression, anxiety, orbipolar disorder. However, there is a debate over whether the term is an appropriate one for treatable mental health illnesses as well.
While some mental health disorders, such as anxiety, may occur in neurodivergent people, they can also affect those who are neurotypical. Therefore, being anxious is not a sign of neurodivergence.
Neurodivergent Signs and Examples
There are a great many ways in which thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses can be neurodivergent.
It’s important to remember that neurodivergence is a cultural construct. So, behaviors that are considered “normal” in one part of the world may be considered “atypical” elsewhere or at a different time in history.
Challenging Traits, Characteristics, and Signs of Neurodiversity
Being neurodiverse can be challenging. Some common and challenging signs of neurodiversity include:
Because they are considered “not like everyone else,” neurodivergent people may struggle with fitting in socially, behaving in expected ways, or easily adjusting to change. They also may be highly intelligent and live independently with few visible signs of their challenges.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Autism
Helpful Traits, Characteristics, and Signs of Neurodiversity
While neurodiversity can make life more difficult, it can also make certain tasks easier. In some cases, neurodiverse ways of seeing and making sense of the world can result in exciting discoveries and intriguing outcomes.
Some signs of neurodiversity that can have a positive impact include:
Of course, these are very generalized descriptions. Certain skills, calledsplinter skills, may be an isolated area of ability even as a person faces challenges in other, more typically useful skills. Some experts recommend a holistic approach to education and development, rather than emphasizing “savant skills” alone in a neurodivergent person.
Is There a Test for Neurodivergence?While a health professional may be able to diagnose a condition that causes neurodivergence, there is no official test. In addition, there are differing opinions about how it is defined. This is why you may get differing results if you take any of the number ofquizzesdesigned to help you assess for neurodiversity. Some people in the neurodivergent community prefer to embrace the idea of self-diagnosis.
Is There a Test for Neurodivergence?
While a health professional may be able to diagnose a condition that causes neurodivergence, there is no official test. In addition, there are differing opinions about how it is defined. This is why you may get differing results if you take any of the number ofquizzesdesigned to help you assess for neurodiversity. Some people in the neurodivergent community prefer to embrace the idea of self-diagnosis.
Why the Term “Neurodiversity” Caught On
Neurodiversity caught on quickly once the term was coined in 1998.This occurred for several reasons. For one, the number of people with diagnosed developmental disorders exploded in the early 2000s, making neurodiversity a much more common phenomenon.
Because people don’t “grow out of” autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or Tourette’s syndrome, neurodiverse children become neurodiverse adults—many of whom are very capable of self-advocacy.
An important reason for the popularity of the concept of neurodiversity is that definitions of autism spectrum, ADHD, and learning disabilities—some of the challenges most often associated with divergent thinking and behaviors—are evolving.
Diagnostic labels are constantly changing, based largely on cultural norms and expectations. The 2013 update of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5), the official handbook of the American Psychiatric Association, included major changes.
It removed the disorder calledAsperger’s syndrome(high-functioning autism), altered the definitions of autism and ADHD, and addedhoarding disorderas a new diagnosable disorder.
Asperger’s syndrome was considered a unique disorder for only about 20 years—from 1993 to 2013. Hoarding (accumulating excessive belongings, often of little value) only became pathological until 2013. Presumably, it was considered neurotypical before that time.
Clearly, the distinction between neurotypical and neurodivergent is flexible and constantly changing.
Five Outdated Autism Diagnoses
Why Neurodiversity Is Important
The concept of neurodiversity has become increasingly attractive to people who consider themselves neurodivergent and those who write about, speak about, and work directly with neurodivergent individuals. There are several reasons for this, including:
The number of people who could be described as neurodivergent is still rising. While there is no official statistic available, the ADHD Aware organization estimates the number of people with neurodivergent disorders (autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, various learning disabilities, and related challenges) comes to over 30% of the population.
Understanding Echolalia in ADHD
How to Accommodate Someone Who Is Neurodivergent
People who are neurodivergent can be very different from one another, which makes it difficult to provide a single list of helpful accommodations. However, there are some that can support both children and adults with or without specific neurodivergent diagnoses.
Certain accommodations are legally required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Some of the easiest and most effective accommodations include:
In addition to accommodating differences, it’s also important to recognize and build on differences when they are helpful. Ways this is accomplished include:
Summary
Neurodivergence is a relatively new concept that presents neurological differences as normal variations rather than pathological disorders. It is growing in significance and can be very helpful in creating universally accessible schools, workplaces, and communities.
People who are neurodivergent usually are diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette’s syndrome, but may also have related differences such as sensory dysfunction.
It is not only appropriate but easy and helpful to work with neurodivergent self-advocates, students, and employees to provide accommodations while also supporting and promoting individual strengths and abilities.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette’s syndrome.You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.You might also choose to describe yourself as neurodivergent if you are diagnosed with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, although mental illness is not usually included in definitions of neurodivergence.People who are neurodivergent usually have a diagnosis that is generally described as a disability. That said, many autistic people feel that their autism is a strength, and the same goes for people with diagnoses such as ADHD or dyslexia.The reality, however, is that the world is generally set up for the benefit of neurotypical people, so it can be more difficult for neurodivergent people to function well at school or work.Some forms of neurodivergent are almost certainly genetic, at least in part. For example, research shows that autism and ADHD are often hereditary.It is also possible to become neurodivergent as a result of exposure to certain drugs in the womb, or as the result of a physical or emotional injury.
You are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette’s syndrome.You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.You might also choose to describe yourself as neurodivergent if you are diagnosed with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, although mental illness is not usually included in definitions of neurodivergence.
You are neurodivergent if you have been diagnosed with a developmental or learning disorder, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or Tourette’s syndrome.
You may decide to consider yourself neurodivergent if you have no diagnosis but think, behave, or interact in ways that are outside the norm.
You might also choose to describe yourself as neurodivergent if you are diagnosed with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, although mental illness is not usually included in definitions of neurodivergence.
People who are neurodivergent usually have a diagnosis that is generally described as a disability. That said, many autistic people feel that their autism is a strength, and the same goes for people with diagnoses such as ADHD or dyslexia.The reality, however, is that the world is generally set up for the benefit of neurotypical people, so it can be more difficult for neurodivergent people to function well at school or work.
People who are neurodivergent usually have a diagnosis that is generally described as a disability. That said, many autistic people feel that their autism is a strength, and the same goes for people with diagnoses such as ADHD or dyslexia.
The reality, however, is that the world is generally set up for the benefit of neurotypical people, so it can be more difficult for neurodivergent people to function well at school or work.
Some forms of neurodivergent are almost certainly genetic, at least in part. For example, research shows that autism and ADHD are often hereditary.It is also possible to become neurodivergent as a result of exposure to certain drugs in the womb, or as the result of a physical or emotional injury.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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