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La Marr Jurelle Bruce, How to Go Mad Without Losing Your Mind: Madness and Black Radical Creativity

Claire Laurier Decoteau, The Western Disease: Contesting Autism in the Somali Diaspora.

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NEUROQUEER * THE WRITINGS OF DR. NICK WALKER

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Nick Walker, PhD
I wrote "Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions" back in 2014. So far, of all the pieces I've written, this is the one that's been most frequently cited in other people's work (academic and otherwise). The definitive, citable version of this essay, along with supplementary comments, can be found in my book When referencing my work, please remember that my pronouns are she/her. Neuroqueer Heresies
New paradigms often require a bit of new language, and this is certainly the case with the neurodiversity paradigm. I see many people - scholars, journalists, bloggers, internet commenters, and even people who identify as neurodiversity activists - get confused about the terminology around neurodiversity. Their misunderstanding and incorrect usage of certain terms often results in poor and clumsy communication of their message, and propagation of further confusion (including other confused people imitating their errors). At the very least, incorrect use of terminology can make a writer or speaker appear ignorant, or an unreliable source of information, in the eyes of those who do understand the meanings of the terms.

For those of us who seek to propagate and build upon the neurodiversity paradigm - especially those of us who are producing writing on neurodiversity - it's vital that we maintain some basic clarity and consistency of language, for the sake of effective communication among ourselves and with our broader audiences. Clarity of language supports clarity of understanding.

And, as I increasingly find myself in the position of reviewing other people's writing on neurodiversity - grading student papers, reviewing book submissions or submissions to journals, consulting on various projects, or even just deciding which pieces of writing I'm willing to recommend to people - I'm getting tired of running into the same basic errors over and over.

So, as a public service, I'm posting this list of a few key neurodiversity-related terms, their meanings and proper usage, and the ways in which I most commonly see them mis used.

NEURODIVERSITY

What It Means:

Neurodiversity is the diversity of human minds, the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species.

What It Doesn't Mean:

Neurodiversity is a biological fact. It's not a perspective, an approach, a belief, a political position, or a paradigm. That's the neurodiversity paradigm (see below), not neurodiversity itself.

Neurodiversity is not a political or social activist movement. That's the Neurodiversity Movement (see below), not neurodiversity itself.

Neurodiversity is not a trait that any individual possesses or can possess. When an individual or group of individuals diverges from the dominant societal standards of "normal" neurocognitive functioning, they don't "have neurodiversity," they're neurodivergent (see below).
"Our school offers multiple learning strategies to accommodate the neurodiversity of our student body."
Example of Correct Usage:

Examples of Incorrect Usage:

"Neurodiversity claims that..."
This writer is actually trying to talk about either the neurodiversity paradigm or the Neurodiversity Movement. Neurodiversity, as a biological characteristic of the species, can't "claim" anything, any more than variations in human skin pigmentation can "claim" something.

"Neurodiversity is a load of nonsense."
Really? So human brains and minds don't differ from one another? There's an awful lot of scientific evidence that shows quite plainly that there's considerable variation among human brains. And if we all thought alike, the world would be a very different place indeed. The person who wrote this sentence was probably trying to object to the neurodiversity paradigm and/or the positions of the Neurodiversity Movement, and has ended up sounding rather silly as a result of failing to distinguish between these things and the phenomenon of neurodiversity itself.

"My neurodiversity makes it hard for me to cope with school."
The correct word here would be neurodivergence, rather than neurodiversity. An individual, by definition, cannot be "diverse" or "have diversity."

"Autism and dyslexia are forms of neurodiversity."
Nope. Nope nope nope. There's no such thing as a "form of neurodiversity." Autism and dyslexia are forms of neurodivergence.

NEURODIVERSITY PARADIGM

What It Means:

The neurodiversity paradigm is a specific perspective on neurodiversity - a perspective or approach that boils down to these fundamental principles:

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

2.) The idea that there is one "normal" or "healthy" type of brain or mind, or one "right" style of neurocognitive functioning, is a culturally constructed fiction, no more valid (and no more conducive to a healthy society or to the overall well-being of humanity) than the idea that there is one "normal" or "right" ethnicity, gender, or culture.

3.) The social dynamics that manifest in regard to neurodiversity are similar to the social dynamics that manifest in regard to other forms of human diversity (e.g., diversity of ethnicity, gender, or culture). These dynamics include the dynamics of social power inequalities, and also the dynamics by which diversity, when embraced, acts as a source of creative potential.

What It Doesn't Mean:

The neurodiversity paradigm provides a philosophical foundation for the activism of the Neurodiversity Movement, but the two aren't the same. For instance, there are people working on developing inclusive education strategies based on the neurodiversity paradigm, who don't identify as social justice activists or as part of the Neurodiversity Movement.
"Those who have embraced the neurodiversity paradigm, and who truly understand it, do not use pathologizing terms like 'disorder' to describe neurocognitive variants like autism."
Example of Correct Usage:

NEURODIVERSITY MOVEMENT

What It Means:

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

What It Doesn't Mean:

The Neurodiversity Movement is not a single group or organization, is not run by any single group or organization, and has no leader. Like most civil rights movements, the Neurodiversity Movement is made up of a great many individuals, some of them organized into groups of one sort or another. These individuals and groups are quite diverse in their viewpoints, goals, concerns, political positions, affiliations, methods of activism, and interpretations of the neurodiversity paradigm.

The Neurodiversity Movement began within the Autism Rights Movement, and there is still a great deal of overlap between the two movements. But the Neurodiversity Movement and the Autism Rights Movement are not one and the same. The most significant distinction between the two is that the Neurodiversity Movement seeks to be inclusive of all neurominorities, not just Autistics. Also, there some who advocate for the rights of Autistics but who cannot rightly be considered part of the Neurodiversity Movement because they still consider autism to be a medical pathology or "disorder," a view at odds with the neurodiversity paradigm.

NEURODIVERGENT and NEURODIVERGENCE

What It Means:

Neurodivergent, sometimes abbreviated as ND, means having a mind that functions in ways which diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of "normal."

Neurodivergent is quite a broad term. Neurodivergence (the state of being neurodivergent) can be largely or entirely genetic and innate, or it can be largely or entirely produced by brain-altering experience, or some combination of the two. Autism and dyslexia are examples of innate forms of neurodivergence, while alterations in brain functioning caused by such things as trauma, long-term meditation practice, or heavy usage of psychedelic drugs are examples of forms of neurodivergence produced through experience.

A person whose neurocognitive functioning diverges from dominant societal norms in multiple ways - for instance, a person who is Autistic, dyslexic, and epileptic - can be described as multiply neurodivergent.

Some forms of innate or largely innate neurodivergence, like autism, are intrinsic and pervasive factors in an individual's psyche, personality, and fundamental way of relating to the world. The neurodiversity paradigm rejects the pathologizing of such forms of neurodivergence, and the Neurodiversity Movement opposes attempts to get rid of them.

Other forms of neurodivergence, like epilepsy or the effects of traumatic brain injuries, could be removed from an individual without erasing fundamental aspects of the individual's selfhood, and in many cases the individual would be happy to be rid of such forms of neurodivergence. The neurodiversity paradigm does not reject the pathologizing of these forms of neurodivergence, and the Neurodiversity Movement does not object to consensual attempts to cure them (but still most definitely objects to discrimination against people who have them).

Thus, neurodivergence is not intrinsically positive or negative, desirable or undesirable - it all depends on what sort of neurodivergence one is talking about.

The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence were coined in the year 2000 by Kassiane Asasumasu, a multiply neurodivergent neurodiversity activist.

What It Doesn't Mean:

Neurodivergent is not a synonym for autistic. There are countless possible ways to be neurodivergent, and being autistic is only one of those ways. There are myriad ways of being neurodivergent that have no resemblance or connection to autism whatsoever. Never, ever use neurodivergent as a euphemism for autistic. If you mean that someone is autistic, say they're autistic. It's not a dirty word.
"Our school aims to be inclusive of students who are Autistic, dyslexic, or otherwise neurodivergent, though there are some types of neurodivergence that we're still seeking ways to accommodate." "This group is for people who identify as both queer and ND (neurodivergent)."
Examples of Correct Usage:

NEUROTYPICAL, or NT

What It Means:

Neurotypical, often abbreviated as NT, means having a style of neurocognitive functioning that falls within the dominant societal standards of "normal."

Neurotypical can be used as either an adjective ("He's neurotypical") or a noun ("He's a neurotypical").

Neurotypical is the opposite of neurodivergent. Neurotypicality is the way-of-being from which neurodivergent people diverge. Neurotypical bears the same sort of relationship to neurodivergent that straight bears to queer.

What It Doesn't Mean:

Neurotypical is not synonymous with non-autistic.

Neurotypical is the opposite of neurodivergent, not the opposite of autistic. Autism is only one of many forms of neurodivergence, so there are many, many people who are neither neurotypical nor autistic. Using neurotypical to mean non-autistic is like using "white" to mean "not black."

Also, neurotypical is not a derogatory word, and has no intrinsic negative connotation. Of course, sometimes people use the word in the context of criticizing the behavior of neurotypicals, but that doesn't make it an intrinsically negative word. A lot of people criticize the behavior of men, too, but that doesn't make "man" an intrinsically derogatory word.
"If the primary language of the society in which you were born is well-suited to the purpose of describing your sensory experiences, your needs, and your thought processes, you may have neurotypical privilege." "My sister is NT, but after growing up with an Autistic father and brother, she's quite at ease with other people's neurodivergence."
Examples of Correct Usage:

Example of Incorrect Usage:

"Is your daughter Autistic or neurotypical?"
This isn't a well-worded question because there are other possibilities. The daughter in question might be non-autistic, but might also not qualify as neurotypical - she might, for instance, be dyslexic or have Down Syndrome.

NEUROMINORITY

What It Means:

A neurominority is a population of neurodivergent people about whom all of the following are true:

1.) They all share a similar form of neurodivergence.

2.) The form of neurodivergence they share is one of those forms that is largely innate and that is inseparable from who they are, constituting an intrinsic and pervasive factor in their psyches, personalities, and fundamental ways of relating to the world.

3.) The form of neurodivergence they share is one to which the neurotypical majority tends to respond with some degree of prejudice, misunderstanding, discrimination, and/or oppression (generally facilitated by classifying that form of neurodivergence as a medical pathology).

Examples of neurominority groups include Autistic people, dyslexic people, and people with Down Syndrome.

It's also possible to be neurodivergent without being a member of a neurominority group. Examples include people with acquired traumatic brain injuries, and people who have altered their own neurocognitive functioning through extensive use of psychedelic drugs.

The word neurominority can function as either a noun (as in, "Autistics are a neurominority") or an adjective (as in, "Autistics are a neurominority group").

NEURODIVERSE

What It Means:

A group of people is neurodiverse if one or more members of the group differ substantially from other members, in terms of their neurocognitive functioning.

Or, to phrase it another way, a neurodiverse group is a group in which multiple neurocognitive styles are represented.

Thus, a family, the faculty or student body of a school, the population of a town, or the cast of characters of a TV show would be neurodiverse if some members had different neurocognitive styles from other members - for instance, if some members were neurotypical while others were Autistic.

What It Doesn't Mean:

Many people mistakenly use neurodiverse where the correct word would be neurodivergent.

Of all the errors that people make in writing and speaking about neurodiversity, the misuse of neurodiverse to mean neurodivergent is by far the most common.

There is no such thing as a "neurodiverse individual." The correct term is " neurodivergent individual." An individual can diverge, but an individual cannot be diverse.

Neurodiverse does not mean "non-neurotypical." The opposite of neurotypical is neurodivergent, not neurodiverse. Neurodiverse cannot be used to mean "non-neurotypical," because neurotypical people, like all other human beings, are part of the spectrum of human neurodiversity. The opposite of neurodiverse would be neurohomogenous (meaning "composed of people who are all neurocognitively similar to one another").

To refer to neurominority groups or neurodivergent individuals as "neurodiverse" is incorrect grammatically, because diverse doesn't mean different from the majority, it means made up of multiple different types. So an individual can never be diverse, by definition. And a group where everyone is neurodivergent in more or less the same way (e.g., a group composed entirely of Autistic people) wouldn't be "neurodiverse," either.

The only appropriate and grammatically correct use of the term neurodiverse is when it's used to describe a group of people whose members differ neurocognitively from each other. In other words, a classroom where everyone is Autistic is not neurodiverse, but a classroom where some students are neurotypical and some aren't is neurodiverse.

Humanity is neurodiverse, just as humanity is racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. By definition, no human being falls outside of the spectrum of human neurodiversity, just as no human being falls outside of the spectrum of human racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity.

In addition to being incorrect, it's also oppressive to misuse the word "diverse" to mean "minority," because this misuse of "diverse" is based in the intrinsically oppressive assumption that there's a default "normal" way of being and that "diversity" is about adding non-normative individuals into the "normal" default environment. This is the assumption that allows tokenization to pass for "diversity" in corporations, schools, and other social institutions.

We can see this same oppressive misuse of the word "diverse" in the discourse of racists who use the term "diverse" as a euphemism for "non-white." This usage seeks to twist the definition of the word "diverse" to mean "not part of the privileged in-group." Again, that's not what the word means, and misusing it in that particular way serves to reinforce a racist mindset in which white people are seen as intrinsically separate from the rest of humanity, rather than as just another part of the spectrum of human ethnic diversity.

It is the same with the misuse of the term neurodiverse to mean "non-neurotypical." To describe an Autistic, dyslexic, or otherwise neurodivergent person as a "neurodiverse individual" is not merely an incorrect usage of the word "diverse"--it also serves to reinforce an ableist mindset in which neurotypical people are seen as intrinsically separate from the rest of humanity, rather than as just another part of the spectrum of human neurodiversity.

In summary, then: misusing the term neurodiverse to mean neurodivergent (i.e., non-neurotypical) is not only plain old bad grammar, it also subtly reinforces ableism and undercuts the fundamental tenets of the neurodiversity paradigm. I hope this explanation will help people to avoid this particular error in the future--and, when possible, to correct such misuse where they encounter it.
"We humans are a neurodiverse species." "We employ a wide variety of creative teaching strategies to accommodate the many different learning styles represented in our highly neurodiverse student body." "My neurodiverse family includes three neurotypicals, two Autistics, and one person who's both ADHD and dyslexic." "I think every single member of their board of directors is neurotypical. An organization that supposedly serves the needs of neurominority children should have a more neurodiverse board."
Examples of Correct Usage:

Examples of Incorrect Usage:

"This group welcomes Autistics and other neurodiverse people."
It's nice to be welcomed, but there's no such thing as a "neurodiverse person." the correct phrase here would be "Autistics and other neurodivergent people."

"This group is open to both neurotypicals and the neurodiverse."
No, no, no. "The neurodiverse?" Seriously? What does that even mean? The spectrum of neurodiversity encompasses the entire human species, so one can't label any subset of the human species as "the neurodiverse." And neurotypicals are part of the spectrum of human neurodiversity, so it makes no sense to say "neurotypicals and the neurodiverse," as if those were two separate things. The correct way to say this would be, "This group is open to both neurotypicals and the neurodivergent."

I hope this list of definitions will help to foster greater clarity and understanding, and more accurate writing, when it comes to the terminology around neurodiversity. I encourage readers to share, cite, or quote from this piece, anywhere it might be useful. If you're writing up submission guidelines for neurodiversity-related writings, for a journal, anthology, conference, or other project, feel free to include a link to this post in your guidelines. If you encounter a journalist who's doing a piece on a neurodiversity-related topic, or a group of college students who are writing about neurodiversity, please share this piece with them. And please feel free to use this piece as a resource in any situation in which there's confusion about what any of these terms mean.

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NEURODIVERSITY: SOME BASIC TERMS & DEFINITIONS * NEUROQUEER

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Nick Walker, PhD I wrote "Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions" back in 2014. So far, of all the pieces I've written, this is the one that's been most frequently cited in other people's work (academic and otherwise).

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Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.

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Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits.

The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, aiming to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences. Through online platforms, more and more autistic people were able to connect and form a self-advocacy movement. At the same time, Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term neurodiversity to promote equality and inclusion of "neurological minorities." While it is primarily a social justice movement, neurodiversity research and education is increasingly important in how clinicians view and address certain disabilities and neurological conditions.

Words matter in neurodiversity

Neurodiversity advocates encourage inclusive, nonjudgmental language. While many disability advocacy organizations prefer person-first language ("a person with autism," "a person with Down syndrome"), some research has found that the majority of the autistic community prefers identity-first language ("an autistic person"). Therefore, rather than making assumptions, it is best to ask directly about a person's preferred language, and how they want to be addressed. Knowledge about neurodiversity and respectful language is also important for clinicians, so they can address the mental and physical health of people with neurodevelopmental differences.

Neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with differences in communication, learning, and behavior, though it can look different from person to person. People with ASD may have a wide range of strengths, abilities, needs, and challenges. For example, some autistic people are able to communicate verbally, have a normal or above average IQ, and live independently. Others might not be able to communicate their needs or feelings, may struggle with impairing and harmful behaviors that impact their safety and well-being, and may be dependent on support in all areas of their life. Additionally, for some people with autism, differences may not cause any suffering to the person themself. Instead, the suffering may result from the barriers imposed by societal norms, causing social exclusion and inequity.

Medical evaluation and treatment is important for individuals with ASD. For example, establishing a formal diagnosis may enable access to social and medical services if needed. A diagnostic explanation may help the individual or their family understand their differences better and enable community connections. Additionally, neurodevelopmental conditions may also be associated with other health issues that require extra monitoring or treatment. It is important that people who need and desire behavioral supports or interventions to promote communication, social, academic, and daily living skills have access to those services in order to maximize their quality of life and developmental potential. However, approaches to interventions cannot be one-size-fits-all, as all individuals will have different goals, desires, and needs.

Fostering neurodiversity in the workplace

Stigma, a lack of awareness, and lack of appropriate infrastructure (such as office setup or staffing structures) can cause exclusion of people with neurodevelopmental differences. Understanding and embracing neurodiversity in communities, schools, healthcare settings, and workplaces can improve inclusivity for all people. It is important for all of us to foster an environment that is conducive to neurodiversity, and to recognize and emphasize each person's individual strengths and talents while also providing support for their differences and needs.

How can employers make their workplaces more neurodiversity-friendly?

Offer small adjustments to an employee's workspace to accommodate any sensory needs, such as

Sound sensitivity: Offer a quiet break space, communicate expected loud noises (like fire drills), offer noise-cancelling headphones.

Tactile: Allow modifications to the usual work uniform.

Movements: Allow the use of fidget toys, allow extra movement breaks, offer flexible seating.

Use a clear communication style:

Avoid sarcasm, euphemisms, and implied messages.

Provide concise verbal and written instructions for tasks, and break tasks down into small steps.

Inform people about workplace/social etiquette, and don't assume someone is deliberately breaking the rules or being rude.

Try to give advance notice if plans are changing, and provide a reason for the change.

Don't make assumptions - ask a person's individual preferences, needs, and goals.

Be kind, be patient.

Resources to learn more about neurodiversity

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

About the Authors

Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd, Contributor

Julia Frueh, MD, Guest Contributor

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What is neurodiversity? - Harvard Health

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The term neurodiversity conveys the idea that there is no single right way of thinking, learning, or behaving, and is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder. A growing self-advocacy movement aims to increase acceptance and inclusion of all people while embracing neurological differences.

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Definitions and Debates about the concept of Neurodiversity

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Definitions and Debates about the concept of Neurodiversity

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Updated/Revised Date: 2022-05-29

Synopsis: Information and definitions that explain the meaning of neurodiversity, including the neurodiverse movement, neurodivergent and neurotypical descriptions. Neurodiversity is an approach to learning and disability that argues diverse neurological conditions are a result of normal variations in the human genome. Neurodiverse refers to a group where some members are neurodivergent. Neurodiversity activists reject the idea that autism should be cured.

Main Document

What is Neurodiversity?

In the late 1990s, Judy Singer, a sociologist, who is on the autism spectrum herself, came up with a word to describe conditions like ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, this word was "neurodiversity". Her hope and objective was to shift the focus of discourse about ways of thinking and learning away from the usual litany of deficits, disorders, and impairments.

Neurodiversity is an approach to learning and disability that argues diverse neurological conditions are the result of normal variations in the human genome. This portmanteau of neurological and diversity originated in the late 1990s as a challenge to prevailing views of neurological diversity as inherently pathological, instead asserting that neurological differences should be recognized and respected as a social category on a par with gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability status.

The Autism infinity symbol is becoming a popular alternative to the puzzle pieces autism symbols.

Neurocosmopolitanism.com defines Neurodiversity as:

"...the diversity of human brains and minds - the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species." - ( neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/)

According to the National Symposium on Neurodiversity (2011) held at Syracuse University, neurodiversity is:

"...a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labeled with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, Tourette Syndrome, and others."

In other words, a condition such as autism is a part of whom the person is, and to take away the autism is to take away the person. As such, neurodiversity activists reject the idea that autism should be cured, advocating instead for celebrating autistic forms of communication and self-expression, and for promoting support systems that allow people with autism to live as someone with autism.

Today, neurodiversity is broadly defined as an approach to learning and disability that suggests diverse neurological conditions appear as a result of normal variations in the human genome. Neurodiversity advocates promote support systems (such as inclusion-focused services, accommodations, communication and assistive technologies, occupational training, and independent living support) that allow those who are neurodivergent to live their lives as they are, rather than being coerced or forced to adopt uncritically accepted ideas of normality, or to conform to a clinical ideal.

Different people think differently - not just because of differences in culture or life experience, but because their brains are "wired" to work differently.

"Neurodiversity is not a word about autism alone. It is a word that embraces all neurological uniqueness, all rhythms of neurodevelopmental and all the forms by which humans can express themselves and contribute to their world." - newforums.com/use-term-neurodiversity/

Gender Identity in Autism and Neurodiversity

Gender identities that differ from biological sex (non-cisgender identities) appear to be more common in autism and neurodiversity. The study found that part of the non-cisgender identities could be related to having behavioral preferences of the opposite sex, but this failed to explain the higher prevalence in neurodiversity. Non-cisgender identities in neurodiversity could better be explained by having neurodiverse relationship preferences or lacking typical relationship preferences. Being part of the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender) community biased answers to questions about gender identity. Neurodiverse non-cisgender people, just like neurodiverse asexual people, might be better off with new communities that focus on the more relevant relationship preference differences rather than on narrow and indirect gender and sexual issues - (Ekblad, L. (2018, August 16). Gender identity in autism and neurodiversity. Retrieved from osf.io/j3gv7).

What Is Neurodivergent?

Having an atypical neurological configuration, for example a person who has a developmental disorder or a mental illness. The word "Neurodiverse" refers to a group of people where some members of that group are neurodivergent.

A neurodivergent person is defined as one whose neurological development and state are atypical, usually viewed as abnormal or extreme. The term was coined in the neurodiversity movement as an opposite for "neurotypical" - previously the term "neurodiverse" was sometimes applied to individuals for this purpose.

The word "Neurodivergence" - (early 21st century from neuro + divergence) - is defined as divergence in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal (frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders) - (https://www.lexico.com/definition/neurodivergence).

Several "recognized" types of Neurodivergence, include autism, Asperger's syndrome, dyslexia, dyscalculia, epilepsy, hyperlexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and Tourette syndrome (TS). Left-handedness, gender identity disorder, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality are sometimes also included - (https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Neurodivergent).

What Is Neurotypical?

The word Neurotypical (NT) is the opposite of Neurodivergent. Neurotypical means being "neurologically typical" - within the typical (average) range for human neurology.

The term originated in the autistic community, as a way to refer to non-autistic people, and is used to describe a person whose neurological development and state are typical, conforming to what most people would perceive as normal. People whose neurological development is atypical are referred to as "neurodivergent". The term is most frequently used by autistics and people with Asperger Syndrome.

"Neurotypical" is a dubious construct, as there is nobody who can be considered truly neurotypical. There is no such standard for the human brain.

The Neurodiversity Movement

The Neurodiversity Movement is a social justice movement that seeks civil rights, equality, respect, and full societal inclusion for the neurodivergent. For example, the Autism Rights Movement (ARM) is a social movement within the neurodiversity movement that encourages autistic people, their caregivers, and society to adopt a position of neurodiversity, accepting autism as a variation in functioning rather than a mental disorder to be cured.

Some advocates believe that common therapies for the behavioral and language differences associated with autism, like applied behavior analysis, are not only misguided but also unethical.

The Neurodiversity Paradigm

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the basic meaning of the term paradigm as " a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model". The historian of science Thomas Kuhn gave it its contemporary meaning when he adopted the word to refer to the set of practices that define a scientific discipline at any particular period of time.

The neurodiversity paradigm is said to have been initially embraced by people on the autism spectrum. However, subsequent groups have applied the concept to conditions that aren't on the autism spectrum such as bipolar, ADHD, schizophrenia, schizoaffective, sociopathy, circadian rhythm disorders, developmental speech disorders, Parkinson's disease, dyslexia, Dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysnomia, intellectual disability, obsessive-compulsive, and Tourette syndrome.

Neurodiversity - Two Sides of the Coin

The Neurodiversity Concept is VERY Controversial!

Author David Pollak sees neurodiversity as an inclusive term that refers to the equality of all possible mental states. However, others reject the word because they think it sounds too medical.

In 2014 a study "Autism Spectrum Disorder as Early Neurodevelopmental Disorder: Evidence from the Brain Imaging Abnormalities in 2-3 Years Old Toddlers" found there are brain structure and neurotransmitter abnormalities in autistic people.

Those proposing the medical model of disability identify mental differences as "abnormalities, disorders, deficits, or dysfunctions". From this perspective, some neurominority states are treated as medical conditions that can and should be corrected.

The concept of neurodiversity, as applied to autism, is criticized for being skewed towards the "high-functioning" individuals of the autistic spectrum or those with milder forms of the condition. Those with "low-functioning" autism are often significantly impaired in their everyday functioning, and may not be able to function effectively with even the extensive use of advanced assistive technologies. Because many of these low-functioning individuals are unable to communicate effectively to express their opinions and wishes, controversy surrounds the issue of who represents them and what represents their interests.

Another major point for neurodiversity opponents is that racial or sexual orientation differences do not functionally disable a person, whereas neurological differences can.

Opinion Pieces Against the Neurodiversity Concept

1 - Neurodiversity is Dead. Now What?

Twilah Hiari April 8, 2018 - "A cornerstone of the neurodiversity movement is the assertion that autism is an exclusively genetic condition. This position is no longer tenable in the face of statistical and epidemiological analysis..."
https://www.madinamerica.com/2018/04/neurodiversity-dead-now-what/

2 - Autism is a Disability, not an identity!

"In the online sphere, autism, and neurodiversity are worn almost like fashion items by people who can often blend imperceptibly into the so-called neurotypical population." and "The 'neurodiversity' movement trivializes what can be a debilitating and life-denying disorder."
https://www.spiked-online.com/2019/11/11/autism-is-a-disability-not-an-identity/

3 - Critiques of the Neurodiversity Movement - Ginny Russell

"There is no such standard for the human brain. Search as you might, there is no brain that has been pickled in a jar in the basement of the Smithsonian Museum or the National Institute of Health or elsewhere in the world that represents the standard to which all other human brains must be compared. Given that this is the case, how do we decide whether any individual human brain or mind is abnormal or normal?"
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-981-13-8437-0_21.pdf

4 - Neurodiversity is a load of sh@t - Reddit

"No, autism and other conditions are not funny little quirks or personality traits. They are mental disorders that can be debilitating and significantly impact one's quality of life. Why don't you go to a care facility and tell the people there that are so severely autistic that they can't even do basic tasks on their own that it's just a "natural human variation" and not a disorder? Or maybe tell that to all the mentally ill people that desperately try medication after medication trying to rid themselves of their symptoms? I'm sure plenty of autistic people would love a cure. Should we force them all to live with it just for political correctness, and so we don't hurt people's feelings? What next? Are we going to call people with cancer "healthdivergent" and ban chemotherapy because cancer is just a "natural variation" in humans' cell replication mechanisms?"
https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularopinion/comments/8af1w9/neurodiversity_is_a_load_of_shit/

5 - The Danger of "Neurodiversity"

"The neurodiversity movement claims that autism is not a problem. This is nonsense."

"People on the more severe end sometimes can't speak. They soil themselves, wreak havoc and break things. I have known them to chew up furniture and self-mutilate. They need lifelong care. Given this, could any reasonable person think autism is not an affliction? Could any caring person try to prevent sufferers seeking a cure? Common sense dictates the answer should be no. The reality is that identity politics has become so deranged that there is a group of people (both here and in the UK) who seek to prevent autistic people getting help, on the nonsensical grounds that it's insulting to suggest they need it." - Jonathan Mitchell
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-danger-of-neurodiversity-

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Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (2022, May 29). What Is: Neurodiversity, Neurodivergent, Neurotypical. Disabled World. Retrieved August 3, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/neurodiversity/

* Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/neurodiversity/">Neurodiversity - Neurodivergent</a>

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Updated/Revised Date: 2022-05-29 Synopsis: Information and definitions that explain the meaning of neurodiversity, including the neurodiverse movement, neurodivergent and neurotypical descriptions. Neurodiversity is an approach to learning and disability that argues diverse neurological conditions are a result of normal variations in the human genome. Neurodiverse refers to a group where some members are neurodivergent.

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What Is Neurodivergence and What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

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Neurodivergence means that a person’s brain functions differently from the typical brain. It is thought to be quite common. Learn what it means to be neurodivergent.