Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNeurotypical vs. NeurodivergentImpactThe Future of Neurodiversity
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Table of Contents
Neurotypical vs. Neurodivergent
Impact
The Future of Neurodiversity
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Neurodiversity describes differences in brain function from person to person that affect daily mental functions.nNeurodiversity embraces differences in brain function and behavior as a natural manifestation of humanity’s variety, rather than viewing them as wrong or problematic.
As autism has become more recognized, psychologists have lobbied for it to be considered a different way of functioning rather than a disorder. The concept of neurodiversity was introduced during the fight for autism awareness and rights. Sociologist Judy Singer (who is autistic) coined the term in 1997.
Though neurodiversity was coined in reference to people on the autism spectrum, it has since come to encompass additional ways that brains can function, such as in people withADHDand dyslexia.
Under the umbrella of neurodiversity, people fall into two subcategories: neurotypical or neurodivergent.
NeurotypicalPeople with standard brain processing and functioningNeurotypical people often do not know that they are neurotypicalSeen as “normal"NeurodivergentPeople whose brain functioning and processing deviates from what is considered “typical"Neurodivergent people are usually made aware that their brains function differentlySeen as “abnormal”
NeurotypicalPeople with standard brain processing and functioningNeurotypical people often do not know that they are neurotypicalSeen as “normal”
People with standard brain processing and functioning
Neurotypical people often do not know that they are neurotypical
Seen as “normal”
NeurodivergentPeople whose brain functioning and processing deviates from what is considered “typical"Neurodivergent people are usually made aware that their brains function differentlySeen as “abnormal”
People whose brain functioning and processing deviates from what is considered “typical”
Neurodivergent people are usually made aware that their brains function differently
Seen as “abnormal”
Neurotypical
This describes people who have standard or typical brain processing and behaviors. Neurotypical people were formerly considered “normal,” and people who weren’t neurotypical were treated as if they had disorders.
The framing of neurotypical as normal is similar to the idea of heteronormativity, which is the notion that being straight and cisgender is the default, regular way for people to be, and that any other sexuality or gender identity is abnormal and problematic.
Being neurotypical is an identity that’s rooted in not having to think about how your brain functions or how it manifests in your behaviors because you function in a way that so many other people do, too. As a result, many neurotypical people often do not realize that they are neurotypical.
Neurodivergent
Unlike neurotypical people, neurodivergent people are usually made aware that their brains work differently.
A neurodivergent person has one or more ways in which their brain functions outside the “typical” way. For example, neurodivergent people may be diagnosed with autism, ADHD, OCD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, orTourette’s.
At one time, these conditions were treated as problems. However, with understanding neurodiversity, we now have a better and more appropriate way of handling them.
Neurodiversity advocacy focuses on embracing and celebrating neurodivergent brains instead of trying to fix them and make them neurotypical. In turn, advocacy work for alternative methods of handling autism (rather than Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) which seeks to make people with autism behave more similarly to neurotypical people) has increased.
It is also important to note that although neurodivergent people have brains that work differently than most of the population, there is now much more understanding that those differences can also be beneficial. The qualities and traits that neurodivergence creates are widely varied and include everything from high perception to strong abilities with computer systems to enhanced creativity.
The Link Between Depression and Creativity
The Impact of Understanding Neurodiversity
It’s not just neurodivergent people who can benefit when society accommodates neurodiversity. The understanding of neurodiversity allows us to appreciate how each of us functions differently. Instead of thinking in terms of “right” and “wrong” ways of functioning, we can embrace these differences.
In workplaces and schools, this means accommodating the atypical needs and playing to the unique strengths of each neurodivergent person. This might look like:
It also can reap significant rewards. For example, workers in JPMorgan Chase’s Autism at Work program were up to 140% more productive than neurotypical employees and made far fewer mistakes.
Advocacy
The understanding of neurodiversity has led toan entire networkof neurodiversity leaders and educators who seek to help people understand how to embrace and work with neurodivergent people instead of attempting to fix them.
Education and Employment
The advancement of alternative therapies instead of ABA for children with autism is a strong example of advocacy and the changing narrative around educating neurodivergent people.
The knowledge that neurodiversity can lead to powerful specific skills has led to a shift in which neurodivergent people are more sought-after for employment.
For example,The Harvard Business Reviewmade a case for employers to hire more neurodivergent people, calling neurodivergence a “competitive advantage.”
Social Change
The stigma and hardships that neurodivergent people face haven’t yet disappeared from our society. Still, the cultural understanding of neurodiversity helps provide us with a framework to change how we think about the topic and how we treat neurodivergent people.
A few decades ago, left-handed students were forced to write with their right hands, which had long-term impacts.Now, left-handedness is considered a difference, not a disorder, and we are accustomed to allowing children to learn to write with whichever hand comes naturally to them.
Similarly, the more strides we take to understand and embrace neurodiversity, the better we will interact with one another and help all individuals learn and behave in the ways that suit them best.
What to Know About Raising Neurodivergent Kids
4 SourcesVerywell Mind 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.Armstrong T.The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Lifelong; 2011.Singer J.The origins and evolution of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity Media.Overlooked workers gain appeal in challenging times.Financial Times. March 17, 2020.Siebner HR, Limmer C, Peinemann A, et al.Long-term consequences of switching handedness: a positron emission tomography study on handwriting in “converted” left-handers.J Neurosci. 2002;22(7):2816-2825.
4 Sources
Verywell Mind 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.Armstrong T.The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Lifelong; 2011.Singer J.The origins and evolution of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity Media.Overlooked workers gain appeal in challenging times.Financial Times. March 17, 2020.Siebner HR, Limmer C, Peinemann A, et al.Long-term consequences of switching handedness: a positron emission tomography study on handwriting in “converted” left-handers.J Neurosci. 2002;22(7):2816-2825.
Verywell Mind 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.
Armstrong T.The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Lifelong; 2011.Singer J.The origins and evolution of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity Media.Overlooked workers gain appeal in challenging times.Financial Times. March 17, 2020.Siebner HR, Limmer C, Peinemann A, et al.Long-term consequences of switching handedness: a positron emission tomography study on handwriting in “converted” left-handers.J Neurosci. 2002;22(7):2816-2825.
Armstrong T.The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Lifelong; 2011.
Singer J.The origins and evolution of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity Media.
Overlooked workers gain appeal in challenging times.Financial Times. March 17, 2020.
Siebner HR, Limmer C, Peinemann A, et al.Long-term consequences of switching handedness: a positron emission tomography study on handwriting in “converted” left-handers.J Neurosci. 2002;22(7):2816-2825.
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