Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, Neurotypical. What's the Difference?

These two very basic, yet very important questions seem like the perfect place to start our Blue Ridge Brains conversations. At the end, there's a keepsake PDF for you to download for easy reference.

neurodiversity

the natural diversity of human brains and minds; it's a biological fact that we're diverse in our minds just as we're diverse in our ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc.

neurodiverse

a group of people with different types of brains and minds

neurodivergent

(ND) a person whose brain or mind that diverges (or differs) from the dominant societal standards of "typical"; not neurotypical
includes differences in learning, communicating, interpreting, processing, feeling, etc.

neurotypical

(NT) a person whose brain or mind that falls within the dominant societal standards of "typical" or "common"; not neurodivergent
includes more common experiences in learning, communicating, interpreting, processing, feeling, etc.

Remember, all neurotypes are valid and valued.

Neither neurotypical or neurodivergent is better or worse. They're simply different.

Avoid language around the word "normal." Aim for common/less common, for example.

Neurotypical refers to most common, not most normal.

Neurodivergent refers to less common, not abnormal / not normal.

The Neurodivergent Umbrella

• ADHD
• Alzheimer's
• Autism
• Bipolar
• BPD
• Cerebral Palsy
• Dementia
• Down Syndrome
• Learning differences: Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia
• Epilepsy
• Giftedness, 2e (twice exceptional)
• Hyperlexia
• OCD
• PDA
• PTSD & CPTSD
• Sensory processing differences
• Synesthesia
• Tourette's
• TBI's
• & a whole lot more!

Neurodiversity acknowledges the whole spectrum of brains & minds—all types of neurodivergent and neurotypical people

The Neurodiversity Paradigm

The philosophy of neurodiversity, which includes:

1.) Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable form of human diversity.

2.) No one type of cognitive function is "right" or "best."

3.) Like other forms of diversity (ethnicity, gender, etc.), neurodiversity is subject to power inequities. When embraced, however, neurodiversity is also a great source creative potential and empowerment.

The Neurodiversity Movement

a social justice movement that seeks civil rights, equality, respect, and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent.

The Neurodiversity Movement champions the fact that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There's no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving. Differences are not viewed as deficits.

The neurodiversity paradigm is a way to understand the world and diversity while the neurodiversity movement is a social and political movement which aims to end the marginalisation of neurodivergent people.⁣⁣ — Sonny Jane Wise, Lived Experience Educator

A little history on the language

"Neurodiversity" was coined and created by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist in the late 1990s.

"Neurodivergent" was coined and created by Kassiane Asasumasu, a multiply neurodivergent activist in 2000.

Download the quick-reference glossary as a PDF here (no email required):

Sources:

What is neurodivergent? What is neurodiversity? by Sonny Jane Wise of Lived Experience Educator (fabulous person to learn from, btw!)

Additional Resources of Interest:

Neurodiversity: Some basic terms & definitions by Dr. Nick Walker of Neuroqueer

PSA from the actual coiner of "Neurodivergent" Kassiane Asasumasu

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