What Does It Mean to Be Neurotypical?
Neurotypical is a term used to describe individuals with typical neurological development. It is often characterized as reaching developmental milestones around the same time as peers.
Neurotypical refers to someone who thinks and processes information in a way that is expected for their age and cultural norms.
In contrast, some autistic people and those with similar conditions sometimes identify as neurodivergent.
However, the terms are subjective and are believed to vary and exist on a spectrum. No brain is the same as another, and so what may be considered 'typical' can vary.
Neurotypical is currently not a formal medical category. But some people in the autism community and the neurodiversity movement use them to promote acceptance.
People who support the use of terms such as neurotypical and neurodiverse believe that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) doesn't need a cure. They believe the differences it presents in people should be respected and celebrated.
Not everyone in the autism community agrees that autism isn't a disorder, so the terms are still somewhat controversial.
What is neurodiversity?
The term 'neurodiversity' refers to someone who thinks and processes information in a different way. Many people identify as neurodiverse, including people with:
Instead of seeing autism as a disorder, people use the term 'neurodiverse' to recognize the rich differences, abilities, and strengths autistic people and other neurodiverse people have.
The neurodiversity movement focuses on promoting the full inclusion of neurodiverse individuals and their individual rights to be accepted as they are.
Characteristics
What characterizes neurotypical people?
Neurotypical development is often characterized in the following ways:
being able to have a conversation or express themselves easily
reaching developmental milestones around the same time as peers, such as not having speech delays
being able to focus for long periods of time
being able to manage sensory discomfort, such as crowds, loud noises, or being too hot or too cold
being able to adapt to change and new environments easily
But being neurotypical doesn't simply mean you're not autistic. A neurotypical person can also be someone without dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, or other neurological differences.
What characterizes neurodivergent people?
There's no one way to characterize neurodivergent people. That's because many people identify as neurodivergent, including autistic people and people with ADHD. Even within the autistic community, the signs of autism can vary.
For example, the signs of autism may be different for adults versus children. The National Institute of Health lists the following as typical signs of ASD in children:
not responding to the speech of others or their name
little or no eye contact
no smiling or social responsiveness
fixation on lining up toys or objects, or watching toys move or spin
repeating actions or sound over and over
In older children or adults, signs can include:
low social interaction
inability to initiate or hold a conversation
repetitive language
intense, focused interest, usually on an object or subject
fixation on certain routines or rituals
difficulty maintaining eye contact
Neurodiversity can also lead to strengths such as:
being able to approach situations differently and think 'outside of the box'
strong abilities with systems, such as computer programming and mathematics
creativity
no pressure to conform to social norms that may not go alongside your own personal idea of happiness
above-average attention to detail
strong visual-spatial skills
Degrees of neurodiversity
Neurodiversity comes in many different forms, from ASD to dyslexia to ADHD. It also comes in varying degrees. For example, some autistic people may have higher support needs than others.
The current edition of 'the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)' has placed several diagnoses under the category of autism spectrum disorder. These include childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified.
The DSM classifies autistic spectrum disorder with three levels of severity. Severity is based on how much impairment you live with in the areas of social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviors.
Level 1 is given when you need support.
Level 2 is given when you need substantial support.
Level 3 is given when you need very substantial support.
Benefits of neurodiversity
Supporters of neurodiversity embrace and recognize the fact that people experience the world around them in many different ways. They believe there is no 'right way' to think, and in fact, variations in thinking and perspectives are a unique strength.
Acceptance of neurodiversity in children may help to:
decrease stigma and discrimination
encourage them to embrace and feel confident about their differences
support the growth of healthy self-esteem
reduce any worries they have about their differences and help them to feel included and understood
empower them to ask for support when needed and advocate for themself
Early learning and acceptance of neurodiversity can also help parents, caregivers, and teachers understand how they can best meet the individual needs of children with ASD.
Takeaway
No matter what language you use to describe autism spectrum disorder, it's important to recognize the different abilities and strengths that neurodiverse people have. There are many ways to look at autism, so discovering new outlooks and theories can help you view autism in a new light.
If you or a loved one has autism, find a local support group, therapist, or other mental health professional who can help you discuss some of the strengths of being neurodivergent.
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