The neurodiversity movement: neurotypical and neurodivergent people

The definitions and differences between neurotypical people and neurodivergent people are current topics in psychology. The neurodiversity movement defends the idea that our brains are different. Despite this, they should be treated equally by people, the workplace and external environments.

The word “neurotypical” describes a person who thinks and processes information in ways that are typical within their culture. and who learns skills and reaches developmental milestones at almost the same time as their peers.

On the contrary, The term “neurodivergent” describes someone who processes information in a different way. People with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and similar conditions are sometimes identified as neurodivergent.

The neurodiversity movement

Neurodiversity has a lot to do with the spectrum in which our thoughts move; In this context, differences in cognition are taken as variations. The concept became popular in the 1990s, when sociologist Judy Singer proposed that autism arises from the brain functioning differently than non-autistic people.

Singer also stressed that this is not a lack, but a difference. Since then, neurodiversity has become a movement, changing the way we understand the variability of ways of thinking and processing information.

Using words like neurodivergent or neurodiverse can be a way to distort the discussion about whether autism or ADHD are a disease or mental health disorder. These terms have consequences for how psychological health is approached, since they point out that people simply have a different way of understanding and interacting with the world, separating themselves from a worse-better scale.

However, some argue that the term “neurodiverse person” is even better. This word is embraced or committed to admitting as equal in value the different ways in which individuals think and behave. Instead of framing one form as typical and the other as atypical, “Neurodiversity” encompasses a continuum of possibilities.

Neurodiversity argues that brain differences are normal, rather than deficiencies.

Neurodivergent or neurodiverse people

The term “neurodivergent” describes people who process information in a very particular way and behave in an unexpected or unusual way. Along these lines, it is feasible to discuss diagnoses, such as autism, outside the framework of clinical significance.

According to the UK charity ADHD Aware, between 30% and 40% of the population is neurodivergent. However, as with the term “neurotypical,” it has no fixed meaning. Neurodivergence comes in many forms.

Thus, people who have the following conditions can be considered neurodivergent:

ADHD– They often have high energy levels, which can cause hyperactivity and difficulty sitting still at school or work. Therefore, staying focused or organized can also be difficult. However, these traits may also mean that people with ADHD are spontaneous and dynamic in their social interactions. What is exhausting for some people is exhilarating for others.Learning difficulties: affect the way someone learns or receives information. For example, dyslexia affects a person’s reading ability, while dysgraphia affects writing and fine motor skills. People with these diagnoses are not lacking intelligence or incapable of learning. They simply benefit from learning in different ways than those formally established.Autism: Autism affects how someone processes sensory information and this influences how they think and communicate. For example, an autistic person may be very sensitive to certain sounds and noises or have trouble reading social cues. Others may have very specific and deep interests. The effects vary greatly from person to person.Tourette syndrome: People with Tourette syndrome have a neurological condition that causes them to have involuntary movements or sounds, known as tics.Synesthesia: People with synesthesia experience the senses in different ways. For example, they may see colors or shapes when they listen to music or taste certain flavors when they hear words. Some consider that some forms of giftedness are also neurodivergence. An example would be people with hyperthymesia, as they have a very precise memory of their own life experiences.

As a curiosity, a 2018 study compared data from the United States, India and Japan on the criteria that doctors use to make diagnoses or differential opinions of autism spectrum disorders. The researchers found that while many traits were consistent between groups, others depended on culture.

The concept of neurodiversity helps reduce the stigma around differences in ways of thinking and learning.

Neurotypical people

On the other hand, the term neurotypical describes someone who thinks and processes information in a way expected for their culture and environment. Thus, the main characteristics of people who have neurotypical development are the following:

They reach developmental milestones at a similar time to other children, such as learning to talk. They have social or organizational skills that are similar to those of their other peers. They are able to tolerate some sensory disturbances, such as loud noises, without much difficulty. They have the ability to adapt to changes in routines. Can concentrate in class or at work for extended periods. Have varied interests or hobbies typical for the person’s age.

A neurotypical person does not necessarily have all of these traits or in all situations. For example, some people without autism may feel overwhelmed by certain sensory experiences, such as being in a crowd. Some children also have delays in learning speech or other skills that are not the result of any diagnosis.

Therefore, The meaning “neurotypical” is also subjective to some extent. What people consider typical can vary depending on the context.

Celebrating differences

The way people perceive and understand the world and those around them is a constant negotiation of boundaries. Terms like neurodiverse and neurotypical can help with this. However, it must be kept in mind that the concept of what is typical also varies drastically depending on the culture and the contexts within that culture.

The variations in neurological development are better understood when we are aware that there are very diverse organic and genetic predispositions, which depending on the context may experience greater curricular and work adaptation. Contemplating and embracing these differences makes us better people and professionals.

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