Neurodivergence: Definition, Examples, and Support

What Does Neurodivergent Mean?

Neurodivergent refers to people whose brains function differently than the average person. An estimated 15-20% of people are neurodiverse, encompassing a wide sample of different neurodiverse conditions. 

Although there is some overlap between neurodiversity and mental health disorders, neurodiversity presents itself with unique facets. For example, a neurodivergent brain is: 

• Long Lasting: While symptoms ebb and flow with environmental factors and age, most researchers agree that neurodivergence such as ADHD, Autism, Tourette’s, and others are present from a young age onward through adulthood. 
• Not Something to Fix: While coping mechanisms can be helpful for fully engaging in society, there is nothing broken with the neurodivergent brain—just different. 
• Full of Unique Strengths: Although many neurodivergent people find themselves at a disadvantage in different academic, work, or social environments, neurodivergence is not without its strengths. Many neurodiverse people experience strengths such as enhanced creativity, empathy, and quick learning.

Neurodivergent vs Neurotypical vs Mental Health Disorder

Neurodivergent and neurotypical are two ways to describe the brain. Neurotypical is your classic, normal brain. Neurodivergence is a brain that is different from the norm. Not all of Neurodiversity is a disability. For example, Synesthesia—a condition where your brain pulls sensory information from multiple unrelated senses and results in people being able to hear colors, taste sounds, or link colors to numbers or letters— has never been considered a disability but is a unique type of brain that falls under the neurodivergent umbrella. 

Mental health disorders are used in the healthcare world and are categories of illnesses that occur in the brain. Like a physical illness, these are disorders that are unusual from the norm and harmful to the person it is affecting. 

There is a gray area between mental health disorders and neurodivergent thinking. For example, medication and traditional talk therapy can help manage the more harmful symptoms of ADHD, OCD, or Tourette’s. 

Different Types of Neurodivergence

The list of neurodivergence is not conclusive or set in stone. Neurodivergence as a label is a tool we can use to create better support systems for and uplift people with neurodivergent brains. 

Some types of neurodivergence include:

• Autism 
• ADHD
• Dyslexia
• Tourette's
• Dyspraxia
• Synesthesia
• Dyscalculia
• Down Syndrome
• Bipolar 
• OCD
• Borderline Personality Disorder

Some of these, such as OCD or Bipolar, are typically treated with medication and psychotherapy. However, their status as a mental health disorder in the healthcare world does not mean they are not also neurodivergencies—many disorders are both.

How Do You Know if You’re Neurodivergent?

The easiest way to know if you’re neurodivergent is to be diagnosed with a neurodivergence. The licensed therapists at Lifebulb are knowledgeable in the umbrella of neurodiversity and provide diagnoses. You can find a therapist near you, or give our team a call and we will match a therapist with you. 

However, we understand that not everyone has the resources to get diagnosed at this time. Self-diagnosis is a completely valid tool, and many people find it to be incredibly helpful. If through research, self-evaluation, and talking with your peers you believe you have one of the neurodiverse conditions listed above, a self-diagnosis can lead to community, resources, and knowledge. With a diagnosis—self or professional—you can begin structuring your environment to best suit your needs, build healthy boundaries, and find ways to make your brain work for you. 

A note about self-diagnosing: Although self-diagnosing can bring community and greater understanding, some conditions do need professional medical help. If your symptoms worsen or hinder your ability to live safely, reach out to a therapist near you who understands neurodiversity and will help you manage symptoms and highlight your unique strengths. 

Neurodivergence in Adults

Many people aren’t diagnosed with neurodiversity until they are an adult. There are many reasons for this. For one, many neurodivergent people do better under a schedule and with external motivation, like a parent or class schedule to hold them accountable. When young adults move off to college and are hit with the pressure of independence, bills, and the intricate social norms of a workplace, neurodivergent symptoms can become pronounced. 

Also, as far as research has come, there is still a lot that professionals don’t know about the brain. This is especially true for how neurodiversity presents itself in women and people of color. 

So, if you’re an adult wondering if you might be neurodivergent—you aren’t alone, and it is entirely possible.

Support for Neurodivergent People

Neurodiversity isn’t something that needs to be healed, fixed, or eradicated, but people with neurodiverse conditions can still benefit from support. 

Our society is set up in a very neurotypical way that many neurodivergent people find difficult to exist in, and having coping mechanisms can help. 

Scientists have described neurodivergent executive function as “spikey” compared to neurotypical behavior. Executive function is brain-behavior associated with things like working memory, attention, cognition, time management, and impulse control, among others. This means neurodivergent people are either too focused or not enough; too organized or completely disorganized; too strict with routines or unable to hold a routine. 

A neurotypical brain exists in the middle: averagely focused, organized, and routine-based. 

Support for neurodivergent people often looks like making their brain work for them, and not trying to force their brain into working for the world. A lot of it is about finding routines, support, and living situations that allow them to interact with society in a way that is authentic.

Coping Mechanisms for Neurodivergent People

Here are some ways you can make the world work for your neurodivergent brain: 

• Work through mental health issues: Neurodivergent people are at a higher risk for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Find a therapist who specializes in your neurodiversity to help you work through these mental health issues. 
• Surround yourself with people who understand: Society isn’t set up to understand neurodiversity, which can be a lonely experience. Find your people—the people who understand, support, and love you and your neurodiverse brain. 
• Find your boundaries and practice standing up for yourself: As a neurodivergent person, your boundaries may look different than other people’s. That’s okay! But you might have to practice enforcing your boundaries more than you want. It can help to have a very clear understanding of what your boundaries are and when they’ve been crossed. 
• Manage sensory overload: A lot of neurodivergent people have unique sensory needs. Because of how their brain processes sensory information, sensations can be either painful or pleasurable. Learn what your limit is for noise, textures, smells, light, and tastes. You won’t always be able to control your environment, but you can help manage your sensory inputs by carrying headphones and sunglasses with you, wearing comfortable clothes, and avoiding areas you know will overwhelm you. 
• Give yourself time to unwind: After a day at work, hanging out with friends, or just the day-in and day-out of living, you might feel drained and tired, more than may seem appropriate. This is normal, your brain has to work harder to interact in a neurotypical environment, and the fatigue is a result of that extra effort. Give yourself time to fully unwind and relax.
• Lean into your strengths: Neurodivergent people often have a wealth of strengths. Learn what your strengths are and how you can tap into them. If it’s your creativity, find hobbies that allow you to express yourself. Maybe you’re extra empathetic or great at finding patterns. Some career paths are more suited to neurodivergent people than others, so consider getting career counseling to help plan for your future. 
• Learn about your Neurodiversity: Every neurodivergence is unique with its set of symptoms, strengths, weaknesses, and corresponding coping mechanisms. Once you’ve identified with one or more neurodiversity, learn everything you can about it. Join an online chat group or read books from other people who’ve lived with your Neurodiversity. Find out what worked for others, and see if it works for you. 

Living with neurodivergence is hard, even if you take all the steps to protect yourself and your unique brain. Counseling is a great way to feel supported and to look after yourself. A good therapist won’t try to change you or get rid of your neurodiversity but rather will help you make more room for yourself to be comfortable, safe, and thriving.

What Is Masking?

Masking is a term used to describe the phenomenon many neurodivergent people experience of hiding their true personality or tendencies to blend in with societal norms. It is not an experience unique to neurodivergence, but it is common in this community. 

People may mask for a number of reasons, including: 

• Pressure to conform 
• Bullied for neurodivergent behavior as a child
• Praised for neurotypical behavior
• Desire to succeed 
• Fear of being different 

We’re all socialized to be neurotypical, and it can take a while to unlearn those learned behaviors. But masking is detrimental to your mental health and often results in burnout, anxiety, and depression. Learning to unmask can be a long journey for many neurodivergent people, but it is well worth it to be your fully authentic self, take up space, and live fully.

Can Neurodivergent People Benefit from Therapy?

Therapy is highly effective for neurodivergent people. Not because it strips away their neurodiversity, but because it gives them the tools to create a healthy space for themselves. It also is a way to prevent or heal from the anxiety and depression that is often layered on top of neurodivergence, especially for adults. 

Lifebulb therapy offers therapy for ADHD, autism, and other neurodiverse brains. If you aren’t sure if you are neurodivergent and want to be diagnosed, our therapists can help with that, too. 

Give our team a call, or find a therapist that fits your needs and request a session with them. You deserve to live authentically, and Lifebulb therapists can help you get there.

Find Your Therapist