Neurodivergent vs. Nerotypical

The terms neurodivergent and neurotypical have become more common terms when referring to the ways the brain functions. They are  part of the neurodiversity   movement that has become more popular over the past couple of years. So what do these terms mean?

Neurotypical individuals are those whose brain function,  processes information, and behaviors are deemed to be standard. 

Neurodivergent individuals have different conditions like: Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism, as a few examples. It is a term used to describe a person that has a neurological condition. 

This terminology is being used in different sectors such as social media and within communities of neurological conditions. Although the word is commonly used, it is not considered a medical term. It is a general term referring to differences in the ways the brain functions. It does not suggest a normal or an abnormal brain.

The most common disorders associated with these terms are ADHD and ASD. There are distinct traits with each of these disorders that can cause difficulty for a neurotypical individual to understand. It is helpful to gain insight for both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals to understand how the way their brain works. In the office, when working with individuals (mainly children) who fall into the neurodivergent category, we refer to it as a  Superpower. We talk about their brain working differently and that they are not wrong in the way their brain processes information. In the area of counseling I work, I have used this positive word rather than using the words wrong, bad, or not normal. 

So the next time you hear the terms, you hopefully have a little more insight into them.