‘How do I know if I am neurotypical, neurodivergent, neurodiverse, or normal?’ … autism and neurodiversity

A lot of people ask me about different terms related to the brain and how it works, especially about autism. They want to know what these terms mean and which one describes them best. It’s not always easy to understand, especially terms like neurodiversity and autism. For example, a woman once asked me to explain in simple language how she can know if she is neurotypical, neurodivergent, neurodiverse, or ‘normal’. She didn’t have a medical diagnosis and wasn’t sure which group she belonged to.

Here’s a basic guide to understand these terms:

1. Neurotypical: This means your brain works in a way that most people expect. You don’t have big differences in learning, talking, or making friends. But you might still face other challenges in life.
2. Neurodivergent: This is for people whose brains work differently from most others. It includes conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. These differences don’t always cause problems, and not everyone with these conditions feels limited.
3. Neurodiverse: This is a broad term that includes everyone, both neurotypical and neurodivergent people. It shows that everyone’s brain works in its own way. But it doesn’t include people with certain mental health issues, brain injuries, or serious diseases that affect the brain.
4. ‘Normal‘: This term is what people generally agree is typical, even though it’s not clearly defined. Usually, ‘normal’ people know who else is ‘normal’. But the term ‘normal’ can be sensitive when talking about brain differences.

Figuring out if you’re neurodivergent, neurotypical, or ‘normal’ can be tricky. Here’s how you can try to understand it better:

1. Think About Yourself: You might notice your thinking, learning, or social skills are different from others. This might include difficulty in making friends or being sensitive to lights and sounds.
2. Listen to Others: Family, friends, or teachers might notice things about you that suggest you’re neurodivergent. They might not say you’re neurotypical because it seems obvious.
3. Read and Learn: Learning more about these terms and conditions can help you see if they match your experience. This can be a step towards understanding yourself better.
4. Get Professional Help: If you want to be sure, you can talk to doctors or specialists. They can help you figure out if you have a condition like autism.

Remember, the idea of neurodiversity shows that everyone’s brain is different, and there’s no strict ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’. People’s brains work in many ways, and that’s okay. Some are more like what most people expect (neurotypical), some are different (neurodivergent), and together, they make up the wide range of human brains (neurodiverse).”