What is Neurodivergent vs Neurotypical? Important Differences & What You Should Know

“Neurodivergent” has been popping up on all my feeds lately.

And prior to writing this article, I still wasn’t entirely sure what it meant (Sounds familiar?). So, I did some research.

• What is neurodivergent exactly?
• Are neurodivergent and neurotypical the same thing?

Below, we explore all of the above. Interestingly, there are a ton of different takes on this, but for the sake of this article, we’re going to stick to more scientific and psychological answers. 

How Do You Know if You’re Neurodivergent or Neurotypical?

Neurodivergent and neurotypical fall under the idea of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity recognizes that we all don’t think or feel the same way. Our brains are all inherently different in different ways. 

Neurodivergent refers to individuals who don’t have typical cognitive functioning, such as those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette’s, and dyspraxia.

Meanwhile, neurotypical refers to those with typical cognitive functioning, such as those not diagnosed or not portraying traits related to a specific neurodivergent condition. 

In many ways, we can think of neurotypical as the “average.” Yet, this doesn’t mean one is particularly “better” than the other. It just means they’re different.

Do Neurodivergent People Think Differently?

Yes, this is exactly what neurodivergent means. Broadly defined, it refers to individuals who think atypically or not like the average.

For instance, this may mean they think differently:

• in social interactions
• when learning
• when communicating
• their perception of the environment
• and more

But this isn’t a bad thing! In fact, this can be a major strength in neurodivergent individuals. Having someone who thinks differently than the average can help spot gaps or solve problems in new ways that neurotypical individuals might not have seen. 

Can You Self-Identify as Neurodivergent?

Technically, you can self-identify as neurodivergent. Yet, this may be hard to actually determine without a proper neuroscientific analysis or diagnosis.

In fact, this has kind of become a “trend,” which is very controversial as it’s actually highly unlikely that many people who classify themselves as neurodivergent are, in fact, neurodivergent on the scientific side of things.

At the same time, there is no set standard for “neurotypical,” meaning, if we broadly expand into a philosophical approach, we could all be neurodivergent in our own ways since we all aren’t one of the same.

Many may use the term “neurodivergent” to identify themselves as being adaptively flexible or as a way to provide beneficial effects to their self-esteem.

Again, it’s okay to identify as neurodivergent without a proper diagnosis, especially since these terms tend to be fairly vague and also don’t have super hard rules around them. 

While controversial, it’s likely best we accept individuals as they claim to identify, as this can foster various beneficial effects regarding mental health and confidence (as stated above).

Related Article: The Top 4 Best Personality Tests & How They Can Help Your Personal Development

How Do I Know if I’m Neurodiverse?

While somewhat confusing, if we’re to look at being neurodiverse from a scientific standpoint, there are several ways to determine if you’re a neurodivergent.

For instance, if you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, or other learning or communicative disorders, you are neurodivergent. 

Yet, again, many reputable sources further support the idea that it is possible to self-identify as neurodivergent if you determine you think differently than the norm.

The other side of the equation is that some may assume this to be a disability. This is simply not true, especially since many with autism, ADHD, and other disorders tend to view the way they think as a strength.

However, it is important to note that many facades of society are set up primarily for neurotypical individuals, which may offer some disadvantages (but it also doesn’t have to).

Some signs you may be neurodivergent further include:

• Social communication challenges
• Speech or learning difficulties
• Unusual responses to sensory input
• Unusual physical behaviors or reactions
• Strong observational skills
• Strong artistic skills
• Out-of-the-box style of thinking

There are also some online tests and quizzes that claim to help you determine if you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical. 

Related Article: Have You Ever Wondered How Much Your Diet Affects Your Mental Health?

At the End of the Day, it’s All About Embracing Neurodiversity 

We are all different, and this is something to be celebrated. We bring different strengths to the table, which can benefit teams and groups as a whole. 

Embracing neurodiversity is also about finding ways to cater our educational systems and more to meet the needs of different populations. When we do, we support one another and are able to harness the strengths of these differences.

Read Next: Rewiring The Anxious Brain In A World That Seems Unsafe

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio