Every brain is different. In each their own way, all brains are unique in smaller or more noticeable ways. This is the core of neurodiversity. It is – in essence – a word to describe the very simple fact that ‘normal’ brains don’t exist.
Neurodiversity, as a framework of thought, recognizes that areas of functioning like sensory processing, gross and fine motor abilities, social sensitivity, social information processing, focus, and other aspects of cognition, are variations of neurobiology.
However, we may still describe a group of brains as more or less typical for the human species, and this is where the words neurotypical and neurodivergent become relevant.
What does it mean to be neurotypical?
Neurotypical is an abbreviation of ‘neurologically typical’, and is sometimes further abbreviated to NT. It is a label which describes those who fit into the ‘norm’ of neurology or ways of experiencing the world.
These neurologies (or brains) are still all different from one another, but still similar enough that they do not qualify for a number of diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, anxiety, or other conditions which would be described as neurodivergent.
Many people use the term neurotypical, both in the neurodiversity movement and in the scientific community, however, some prefer the term ‘allistic’ which simply means ‘not autistic’. Importantly, because of the narrower definition, allistic will also apply to someone with anxiety or dyslexia, whereas neurotypical would not. For this reason, both terms may be used in different contexts within the same communities.
What does it mean to be neurodivergent?
Neurodivergence as a label describes that certain neurotypes differ from the typical in various ways. To be neurodivergent means, in plain language, that your brain works differently from most, to such a degree that you are likely to face challenges the typical person will not.
The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence refer to those “whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in multiple ways”. This means that the terms refer to a variety of ways of diverging from the neurological norm, and includes labels such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, sensory processing differences, anxiety, depression, (C-)PTSD, and more.
Neurodivergence as a term is often used as a way to include more people in the discussions of accessibility for disabilities and groups who are marginalized based on diagnoses.