Neurodivergent vs. neurotypical: What does 'neurodivergent' mean?

"Neurodivergent" is an increasingly popular term used to describe individuals with differences in how their brains work. Everyone is unique, but some people experience the world or behave in ways that differ from what society considers the norm.

If you've been on social media recently, chances are you've heard about being neurodivergent or neurotypical. On TikTok, there are over 240 million videos related to the term "neurodivergent." Many creators are using the term to spark conversations about inclusivity and normalize certain neurodevelopmental conditions.

What does "neurodivergent" mean, why are people using it, and who is considered neurodivergent or neurotypical? Here's what to know.

What does neurodivergent mean?

The term originates from the concept of neurodiversity, which was coined in the 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer to describe the natural differences in human brain functioning, Dr. Lawrence Fung, a physician-scientist specializing in autism and director of the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, tells TODAY.com. These differences impact how a person learns, thinks and behaves.

Neurodiversity is a spectrum. “The intention was to describe differences in the experience of how our brains work — no two brains are exactly the same,” Eric Butter, Ph.D., chief of pediatric psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, tells TODAY.com.

In the early 2000s, the term "neurodivergent" was coined by American activist Kassiane Asasumasu to explain how people with neurodiverse conditions differ, or diverge, from the expected "norm" or typical. "She was meaning to include not only people on the autism spectrum but also people with ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurologic or psychiatric conditions," Fung says.

Neurodivergent is not a medical condition or diagnosis, but instead an umbrella term to describe people rather than using language like "abnormal" and identifying a person by their disorder or deficit, the experts explain.

"Instead of having to disclose your health history, you just want to help people recognize you're a slightly different version of a human," says Butter.

Neurodivergent vs. neurotypical

Neurotypical refers to people who have typical or expected neurological development or functioning, and do not have any neurodiverse conditions, the experts note.

The majority of people and how they experience and perceive the world are considered neurotypical, says Butter. “The larger world is not neurodiverse; the larger world is neurotypical,” Butter adds.

Schools and workplaces, for example, are largely shaped by and for neurotypical people, the experts note. Neurotypical people also seem to easily understand the "unwritten rules" around social norms, whereas neurodivergent people may struggle with these.

All that said, “two neurotypical people are going to be very different from each other, just like two neurodivergent people are going to be very different from each other,” says Butter.

What is considered neurodivergent?

In basic terms, a person who is neurodivergent has brain and behavioral differences compared to neurotypical individuals, says Fung. Neurodivergent is a non-medical term people use to describe themselves, so there is no strict diagnostic criteria, the experts note.

People who are neurodivergent may or may not have a medical condition related to how their brain developed or functions — and if they have a condition, it may or may not be diagnosed, Butter points out. Regardless, "they do function differently," he adds.

Common conditions among people who are neurodivergent, per the Cleveland Clinic, include:

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Bipolar disorder

• Dysgraphia

• Dyslexia

• Apraxia of speech

• Intellectual disabilities

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Sensory processing disorders

• Tourette syndrome

• Williams syndrome

Neurodivergent people may have one or multiple conditions, along with other mental health diagnoses, such as depression or anxiety, Butter notes. Not everyone who has a neurodiverse condition will identify as neurodivergent.

Is anxiety considered neurodivergent?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease or fear which everyone experiences at some point, per the National Institutes of Health. Anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of worry that persist or get worse over time and impact daily functioning.

While anxiety is not typically considered a neurodiverse condition, it often coexists with neurodiverse conditions, such as ADHD, the experts note. The challenges many neurodivergent people face may also increase the risk of anxiety or stress over time.

What does a neurodivergent person act like?

Neurodivergent people think or act differently than neurotypical people, but how this looks varies greatly. The traits associated with neurodiverse conditions don’t always overlap, Fung adds.

However, the common denominator for many people with neurodiverse conditions is that they often experience challenges navigating everyday life, especially social situations, education environments and in the workplace, the experts note.

"The systems we are expected to navigate as we move through our lives are not built for neurodiverse people," says Butter.

As a result, neurodivergent people may experience challenges with:

• Social interactions: difficulty making eye contact, understanding non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions or body language, reading social cues, or engaging in conversation

• Learning: difficulty learning how to read, write, speak, calculate or draw

• Executive functioning: problems with focus, working memory, mental flexibility, planning or time management

• Sensory experiences: difficulty processing or greater sensitivity to stimuli, such as sounds, light, smells, textures, temperatures, crowds and more

• Physical: difficulty staying still, trouble with coordination and engaging in repetitive movements, such as tics or tremors

Neurodivergent people often struggle to cope with these challenges, which affect all areas of their lives. Their behaviors may be stigmatized by neurotypical people, says Fung.

Many develop coping mechanisms, such as “masking,” which involves concealing neurodivergent traits to fit in with neurotypical society. Others may develop maladaptive or unhealthy behaviors to cope. “They can create impairment in your functioning and limit your quality of life,” says Butter.

As a result, neurodivergent people can become easily overwhelmed, withdrawn or burned out. “They oftentimes have lost opportunities in education or the workplace because of the differences in their cognitive function or way of interacting with others,” Fung adds.

What does it mean to be 'high-functioning' and neurodivergent?

"High-functioning" is an informal term some people may use to describe people with neurodiverse conditions who are able to perform many activities in their daily life or live independently.

The experts warn against using terms like "high functioning" or "low functioning" to describe neurodivergent people. These are examples of value-based language, or which assign value based on a person's ability to function or perform, often by neurotypical standards.

Neurodivergent strengths

Instead, the experts prefer to focus on the many unique skills and strengths of people who are neurodivergent, which include:

• Greater attention to detail

• Creativity

• Out-of-the-box thinking

• Ability to focus intensely

• Highly observant

• Pattern recognition

• Enthusiasm

• Visual thinking

• Resilience

“Neurodivergent people have a lot to contribute to any workplace or environment. ... I think people are beginning to appreciate that neurodiversity brings a competitive advantage,” says Butter.

How to support someone who is neurodivergent

Communication and understanding are key, the experts say. “(If) neurotypical people, or people in general, can try to understand both the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent people, that’s probably the biggest thing that can help," says Fung.

The experts also emphasize the importance of creating more inclusive environments where neurodivergent people can thrive. This often includes making accommodations, says Fung, which may range from a quieter office to assistive technology, flexible work schedules, mentoring and more.

"We'd probably all be better off ... building a world where it is safe to be neurodivergent, where people can show the best of who they are and optimize their contributions to society," says Butter.

How do I tell if I am neurodivergent? Is there a test?

There's no single test you can take to determine if you are neurodivergent, the experts note.

People may identify as neurodivergent if they are diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition, or if they exhibit behaviors and face daily challenges that neurodivergent people commonly experience. They may have significant sensory-processing differences, or relate more to neurodivergent friends or family.

"If it feels like home, if it starts to answer questions for you about where you feel good or where you feel frustrated in the world, then it probably is the right term for you," says Butter.

Since it's not a medical condition, health care providers do not diagnose people as neurodivergent, Butter notes. However, health care providers can diagnose underlying neurodiverse conditions.

The symptoms of these conditions can be treated, Butter adds, which can significantly help neurodiverse individuals. These include medication, therapy or a combination. Neurodivergent-affirming care can also help tailor interventions to an individual’s needs. “We don’t want people to live unnecessarily and struggle related to those diagnoses,” says Butter.

If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com