What is Neurotypical and Neurodivergent?

‘Neurotypical’ means a brain that works in ways society expects. ‘Neurodivergent’ describes brains that don’t — not in a bad way, just different.

Neurotypical and Neurodivergent

These two terms help us talk about the different ways brains can work — not in a better/worse or right/wrong way, just genuinely different.

Neurotypical

Neurotypical describes people whose brains work in ways that society generally expects and designs for. It doesn’t mean they’re “perfect” or “better” — just that their thinking and processing styles tend to fit more easily into standard systems like schools, workplaces, and social situations.

Neurodivergent

Neurodivergent describes people whose brains work differently from what’s typically expected. This might include:

Autism
ADHD
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
OCD
Tourette’s
And many other ways of thinking and processing

Being neurodivergent doesn’t mean you’re disordered, broken, or less capable. It simply acknowledges that brains aren’t all wired the same way — and that this difference is completely natural and valid.

These terms come from the concept of neurodiversity — the idea that there’s no single “right” way for a brain to work. There are just different ways of experiencing and interacting with the world, and all of them have value.

Some people find these words helpful for understanding their own identity. Others use them to push for more inclusive systems and environments. Either way, they help shift conversations away from what’s supposedly “wrong” with someone toward how we can better support and understand each other’s different needs.