How do neurodiverse individuals differ from neurotypical individuals?
Nana Awuah, March 28, 2024
In the vast field of human cognition and behavior, diversity goes far past what most readers would anticipate. Neuroscience is the collected multidisciplinary sciences that analyze the nervous system to understand the biological basis for behavior (Bloom, 2013). The neurological variances resulting from the complex functioning and structure of the brain influence how individuals experience and engage with the world. In this blog article, I explore the various aspects of neurodiversity with the goal of distinguishing between what is considered neurotypical and what is considered neurodivergent.
As the complexities of neurological diversity are revealed, I’ll aim to help you better understand and appreciate the distinctive perspectives that make each of us unique!
Defining Neurodiverse & Neurotypical
Neurodiverse is a term commonly used to describe persons displaying or characterized by autistic or other neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behavior. Gregor Wolbring (2007) provides a frequently cited definition, “Neurodiversity is defined as the whole of human mental or psychological neurological structures or behaviors, seen as not necessarily problematic, but as alternate, acceptable forms of human biology” (see Nelson, 2020). Individuals diagnosed with certain disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc. are often identified as Neurodiverse.
On the other hand, Neurotypical is a term often used to describe persons who think, perceive, and behave in ways that are considered the norm by the general population.
Many might ask, "Is neurotypical really identifiable? Is it simply the absence of a diagnosis? " Individual variances arise from differences in biological make-up, family history, and brain anatomy. This phrase is frequently used to characterize individuals whose neurological functioning and development are consistent with neurological expectations. It is context-dependent and somewhat broad, however, and there is likely no such thing as a "perfect" brain.
Neurotypical individuals are often described as someone who thinks and processes information in an expected way for their culture and setting (Villines, 2022). Additionally, they can be identified through social context, or a
