If you spend enough time on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms following content related to mental health, you’ve most likely heard the term Neurodiversity thrown around, but what does it mean? Is it a phase people go through? Is it a medical condition? And are you Neurodiverse or Neurotypical? Well, let’s dive in!

Neurodiversity is a term used to highlight and celebrate people’s mental differences and the idea that there’s no singular right or wrong way of processing thoughts and emotions. This concept promotes the notion that neurological differences such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others are simply a natural part of the human condition.

When it comes to the numbers, most people are neurotypical. Most recent estimates suggest that only 15-20% of the world’s population exhibits some form of neurodivergence. Is it better to be with the majority on this one? Or is it better to process information differently than the majority? Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will form your own opinion on the matter and better understand how your own brain functions.

Is This a New Thing?

Neurodiversity is a hot topic today, but when did it emerge? Well, the term was coined almost three decades ago, in 1997, by Australian sociologist Judy Singer to promote equality and inclusion of «neurological minorities.»

In a recent interview, Judy shed even more light on how she came up with the term – “‘Neuro’ was a reference to the rise of neuroscience. ‘Diversity’ is a political term; it originated with the black American civil rights movement. ‘Biodiversity’ is really a political term, too. As a word, ‘neurodiversity’ describes the whole of humanity. But the neurodiversity movement is a political movement for people who want their human rights,”. 

Almost 30 years later, thought leaders on mental health often use this concept to promote inclusivity when it comes to people whose brain functions differently. Prominent figures include the author and podcast host Mel Robbins who recently shared how she got her ADHD diagnosis at 47 years old, following the trend of late diagnosis of ADHD in adults. Medical experts like Dr. Sasha Hamdani, Dr. Perry Mandanis, and Dr. Carrie Jackson have also now become trusted, reliable resources of accurate information to help destigmatize and promote awareness that differences in brain functioning can also be strengths.

Neurodivergent VS. Neurotypical

So, what is the difference between a neurodiverse brain and a neurotypical brain?

The term «neurodiversity» encompasses the natural variation in human brain function and cognition, but it is most commonly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other neurological or developmental conditions such as Asperger’s, bipolar, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Neurodiverse or neurodivergent people are those who process information and emotions differently than most members of society. 

Living with these conditions has many challenges, but did you know there are also strengths associated with them? Depending on the condition, they may include:

  • Higher-than-average creativity
  • High energy and eagerness to multi-task
  • Higher than average tolerance to taking risks
  • Innovative problem-solving skills

On the other hand, a neurotypical person is someone who processes information and emotions, perceives things, and generally behaves in ways that are expected by society. 

If you feel different from most of your peers (or even from strangers) or if the question, “Am I neurodiverse or neurodivergent?” piques your interest, or if you simply want to get a better idea of how your unique brain works, you may want to learn more about neuropsychological testing. MOXO, for example, is a continuous performance test (CPT) originally developed to help with diagnosing ADHD, but can also measure focus, information processing, and socio-emotional regulation. There are plenty of ways to go about neuropsychological testing, and while they are not substitutes for a thorough medical diagnosis, they can help give you a better idea of how your unique brain functions.

Can Neurodiversity Be Measured?

It is important to note that there is no official test that can diagnose or label you as neurodivergent—after all, it is not a formal medical diagnosis. 

When looking for signs of neurodiversity, it is common to look for symptoms of autism, ADHD, and all the other neurological we mentioned above. For instance, ADHD in children usually displays as constant fidgeting, difficulty sitting still or often interrupting in conversations. ADHD in adults would then appear as trouble focusing at work, procrastination, and disorganization.

Gender may also play a factor. ADHD in men usually means being impulsive and hyperactive. With women, it may appear as inattentiveness or having great difficulty focusing. Some of these symptoms may also apply to other neurological disorders like autism, making differentiating them a bit tricky. This is also what makes working with a healthcare professional essential and so much more accurate than taking a neurodiversity questionnaire or survey online.

Celebrating Your Brain

Understanding how your brain works and its unique strengths and areas for improvement is a great way to help you build a more productive, healthy life. You may find this research paper titled “Is autism a different kind of intelligence?“ quite surprising. It underscored that autism is considered a “human variant that sometimes involves extreme adaptive advantages and disadvantages.” This is to say, someone diagnosed with autism, like any neurotypical person, has advantages and disadvantages, some worth celebrating, all worth understanding.

For more content on ADHD, attention profiling, new research, and more, click here to return to the MOXO blog homepage.