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Neurodivergent is not a medical term or a recognized diagnosis. Instead, it’s a way many people use to describe how their brain works differently from others. It is an umbrella term to describe the experience many people have with disorders such as ADHD, Autism, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, and more.
Although there is no one set neurodivergent experience, this article will attempt to explain what neurodivergence is, the medical conditions associated with it, and give you an idea of whether you are neurodivergent.
What Does Neurodivergent Mean?
Neurodivergent is a way to describe a brain that functions differently from the majority of the population. (The “normal” brain is called neurotypical.)
The neurodivergent spectrum is wide. Some people find the label helpful in accepting their differences and finding help. Others find they don’t care for the label.
What neurodivergent means to you can depend on the challenges you face. Neurodivergence often means you:
- Learn differently
- Communicate differently
- Socialize differently
- Have different environmental needs
- Have a brain that has developed differently
Many people with neurodivergence grow up feeling like something is wrong with them. The challenges they face solidify into negative statements of self. (“I must just be stupid.” or “I’m such a screw up.”)
By labelling their experience as “neurodivergent”, they realize there is nothing wrong with them; their brain just works a little differently.
Being neurodivergent means you might face extra challenges that neurotypical people do not. For example, some neurodivergent people experience difficulties with:
- School,
- Work
- Relationships,
- Sensory issues
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance Abuse
- Other mental health issues
Being neurodivergent can have strengths, too. Neurodivergent people see and interact with the world differently from neurotypical people. From this difference come many unique solutions and ways of thinking.
How many people are neurodivergent?
It’s estimated that 15-20% of people are neurodiverse, meaning that their brain functions differently from the remaining 80-85% of the population.
Understanding neurodivergence and recognizing it in yourself is an important step to seeking neurodivergent-affirming therapy and getting the help you need to thrive.
Neurodivergent Examples
Neurodivergent is not an official diagnosis, but there are many mental health issues associated with it. Not everyone agrees on what makes something neurodivergent. It is often up to the individual whether they consider themselves neurodiverse or not.
Common disorders under the neurodivergent umbrella include:
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Down Syndrome
- Dyslexia
- Tourrete Syndrome
- Sensory Processing Disorder
Some people also consider these to be neurodivergencies:
And more. This is not a complete list. Since neurodiversity is not a medically recognized term, there’s some grey area as to what makes somebody neurodiverse.
In general, if you feel like your brain functions differently from others and you’ve experienced both challenges and strengths from that difference, neurodivergent might be a good label.
Neurotypical vs Neurodivergent Brain
What’s the actual difference between a neurotypical and a neurodivergent brain? All of our brains work a little differently from each other, right?
It’s true that no one person is the same. Even identical twins will be different because of slight differences in DNA, genetics, and environmental factors.
But while everyone will be unique, there are general patterns to brain functioning that are more common (neurotypical) and patterns of brain functioning that are less common (neurodivergent).
These differences are noticeable with modern technology. For example, a neurodivergent brain may have:
- Abnormalities in brain structure (bigger or smaller parts of the brain, like the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, or hippocampus)
- Lower density of synaptic density
- Different levels and interaction with neurochemicals
Neurodiversity is not just a matter of environmental triggers. There are actual differences scientists can point to in brain structure and functioning to form these unique patterns.
The Neurodivergent “Spiky” Profile
One way of describing neurodivergence is through the use of a “spiky” profile. A spiky profile is used to describe people who have exceptional skills in some areas and exceptional challenges in others.
While most people tend to have a “flat” profile–meaning they have normal levels of success and challenges in most areas of skill development–people with a spiky profile tend to be very successful in some areas and very unsuccessful in others.
For example, someone with Autism may really struggle with understanding social cues. They are below average with their nonverbal communication and comprehension. However, they excel at spatial puzzles and have a greater understanding of how certain things work because of it.
This approach to neurodivergence helps break it down into strengths and weaknesses, rather than labelling it as an overall deficit of skill.
Am I Neurodivergent?
Remember that neurodivergence is not a diagnosis. Many of the disorders under the neurodivergent umbrella are however, and we encourage you to seek support for them if you recognize the symptoms in yourself.
Whether or not you take up the label of neurodivergent is up to you. It’s helped many people understand their strengths and weaknesses, ask for help when they need it, and understand that they are not broken or wrong.
This neurodivergent quiz is a starting point for you. It is not a diagnostic test, nor does it encompass all that being neurodivergent means. It covers some of the most common symptoms of neurodivergence.
Read through this list of common neurodivergent experiences. If you relate to the experience mentioned, put a check mark.
1. Sensory Experiences
- ☐ I feel overwhelmed by bright lights, loud sounds, or busy environments.
- ☐ I avoid certain textures (clothing, foods) or seek specific sensory comforts.
- ☐ I get easily irritated by background noise others don’t notice.
- ☐ I seek sensory input (fidgeting, touching things, strong flavors, pressure).
2. Focus & Attention
- ☐ I hyperfocus on interests and lose track of time.
- ☐ I struggle to start tasks even when I want to.
- ☐ I get distracted easily or jump between tasks.
- ☐ I lose things frequently or forget what I was doing.
3. Executive Function
- ☐ I have trouble organizing my space or schedule.
- ☐ I struggle to manage time or estimate how long things will take.
- ☐ I rely on routines to function consistently.
- ☐ I procrastinate because of paralysis, not laziness.
4. Social Communication
- ☐ I find small talk tiring, confusing, or pointless.
- ☐ I miss or misunderstand social cues.
- ☐ I “mask” or copy others to fit in.
- ☐ I feel socially exhausted after interacting with people.
5. Emotional Regulation
- ☐ I experience emotions very intensely.
- ☐ I have meltdowns, shutdowns, or emotional overload.
- ☐ I struggle to identify my emotions in the moment.
- ☐ I need a long time to recover from stressful events.
6. Learning & Thinking Style
- ☐ I have uneven skills (very good at some things, very poor at others).
- ☐ I learn better with visuals, hands-on methods, or patterns.
- ☐ I struggle with reading, writing, math, or processing instructions.
- ☐ I think in pictures, stories, or “big ideas” rather than step-by-step.
7. Movement & Motor Patterns
- ☐ I fidget, pace, or stim to focus or regulate.
- ☐ I have coordination challenges or seem clumsy.
- ☐ I prefer predictable routines in physical activities.
- ☐ I have repetitive habits or movements.
8. Interests & Routines
- ☐ I have deep, intense interests that I research extensively.
- ☐ I thrive on routines and dislike sudden changes.
- ☐ I feel grounded by familiar patterns or rituals.
- ☐ I talk a lot about my interests when comfortable.
9. Daily Life Experiences
- ☐ I often feel “different” from others without knowing why.
- ☐ I feel overwhelmed by things others seem fine with.
- ☐ I get exhausted by everyday tasks more than my peers.
- ☐ I feel relief when I finally understand myself better.
If you marked many of these boxes off, you might be neurodivergent. This is not a complete test, and it cannot encompass all the symptoms of the various neurodivergences.
If you think you are neurodivergent, talk to a therapist. They can help you understand your symptoms and your unique way of interacting with the world.
Therapy for Neurodivergence
The term neurodivergence was created in part to take away some of the stigma that surrounds these conditions. They are not disorders in the sense that they are illnesses to be cured. (Many of them, like Autism, don’t have a cure.)
The goal of therapy for neurodivergence is not to fix you, because there is nothing that needs to be fixed. Instead, the goal is to help you accommodate your weaknesses and understand your strengths.
Being neurodivergent can be difficult. You’re existing in a world that is not made for your brain. Therapy can help you navigate this difference and find coping tools that work for you.
