neurodivergence
Cognitive wiring variation
Neurodivergence is variation in brain function that differs from what's considered typical—encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others.
The term frames these differences as natural variation rather than deficits: Neurodivergence isn't a disorder; it's just a different operating system.
Someone with such differences is neurodivergent; those with typical brain function are neurotypical.
Continuous range of values
- Asperger'sAutism without speech delay
- stimmingRepetitive self-regulatory behavior
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
- shutdownCessation of operations
masking · special interests · sensory processing · echolalia · routine · social communication · eye contact · neurotypical
Excessive physical or mental energy
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
- inattentionLack of focus
- distractibilityProneness to shifting focus
- hyperfocusIntense prolonged single-task concentration
executive dysfunction · time blindness · restlessness · fidgeting · forgetfulness · task-switching · stimulant medication · Ritalin
Interpreting written text
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- phonemesMinimal sound distinctions
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- dysgraphiaImpaired ability to write
dyscalculia · word recognition · literacy · fluency · comprehension · orthography · accommodations · IEP
Standard cognitive wiring
- self-diagnosisIdentifying your own condition
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- communityCollective of connected people
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
intersectionality · lived experience · self-advocacy · acceptance · unmasking · late diagnosis
State of perceiving reality
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- accommodationsPlaces providing temporary residence
- accessibilityEase of approach
- inclusionBeing made part
universal design · disability rights · self-advocacy · representation · destigmatization · disclosure · education reform · ADA
spectrum
Continuous range of values
- Asperger'sAutism without speech delay
- stimmingRepetitive self-regulatory behavior
- meltdownCatastrophic loss of control
shutdown · masking · special interests · sensory processing · echolalia · routine · social communication · eye contact · neurotypical · repetitive behaviors
hyperactivity
Excessive physical or mental energy
- impulsivityActing without considering consequences
- inattentionLack of focus
- distractibilityProneness to shifting focus
hyperfocus · executive dysfunction · time blindness · restlessness · fidgeting · forgetfulness · task-switching · stimulant medication · Ritalin · Adderall
reading
Interpreting written text
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
- phonemesMinimal sound distinctions
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
dysgraphia · dyscalculia · word recognition · literacy · fluency · comprehension · orthography · accommodations · IEP · assistive technology
neurotypical
Standard cognitive wiring
- self-diagnosisIdentifying your own condition
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- communityCollective of connected people
pride · intersectionality · lived experience · self-advocacy · acceptance · unmasking · late diagnosis
awareness
State of perceiving reality
- acceptanceConsent to receive
- accommodationsPlaces providing temporary residence
- accessibilityEase of approach
inclusion · universal design · disability rights · self-advocacy · representation · destigmatization · disclosure · education reform · ADA · allyship
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- ADHDADHD, hyperactivity, inattention, impulsivity, fidgeting
- disabilitydisability rights, disability culture, disability activism, disability services, disability identity
- Neurodiversityautism spectrum, ASD, neurotypical, spectrum, Asperger syndrome
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, vision loss, developmental disability, hearing impairment
- mental illnessschizophrenia, mental illness, psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression
neurodivergencepathology
Study of disease processes
disorder · deficit · mental illness · abnormality · dysfunction