Neurodiversity 101: Terms and Definitions

The neurodiversity movement has grown in visibility significantly, which means there is a lot more discussion about neurodiversity. There are also a lot of different terms! Sometimes these terms grow and are used faster than they are properly understood which can led to some misunderstandings. It is ok to not be perfect or to make mistakes, and if you are wanting some clear definitions for many of the common terms you might be seeing, you’re in the right place!

If any of this is confusing or you have questions, you are always welcome to reach out. Some of these definitions might be intentionally not super exclusive or definitive because they are meant to be inclusive, which can complicate things. Ultimately, it’s most important to respect the labels someone uses for themselves, so just mirroring what someone shares about who they are and how they refer to themselves is an easy place to come back to.

For obvious reasons, let’s start with Neuroqueer!

Neuroqueer

Adjective

A descriptor that refers to the intricate connection between queerness and neurodivergence, while also honoring the nature of pushing back against the expectations placed up us in how to exist, act, present ourselves, behave, etc., according to norms that adhere to cisheteroneuronormativity (see below for definition).

Neurodiversity

Noun

The diversity of neurology; the myriad of different ways human brains work.

Neurotype

Noun

The unique profile of someone’s brain that influences how they communicate, function, and interact with the world.

Example: A person who is autistic and ADHD may say that they have a similar, but not the same, neurotype as their friend who is autistic and experiences dissociation.

Neurodivergent

Adjective

A term that describes someone whose brain functioning diverges from the norm. This is an expansive term that encompasses many neurotypes, including but not limited to: autism, ADHD, epilepsy, DID, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, and unnamed or undiagnosed differences. You do not need a diagnosis or a more specific label to be neurodivergent - someone can simply be neurodivergent and that be the only term they use to describe their neurotype.

Neurotypical

Adjective

The inverse of neurodivergent - a term that describes someone whose brain functioning does not significantly or meaningfully diverge from the norm.

Neurodiverse

Adjective

A descriptor for a group that has differences among neurotype.

Example: Group 1 (autistic person, dyslexic person, neurotypical person) is neurodiverse because there is diversity among their neurotypes. Group 2 (autistic person A, autistic person B, autistic person C) is not a neurodiverse group because there is not diversity among their neurotypes.

Note: It is grammatically incorrect to use neurodiverse to describe an individual. An individual can be neurodivergent or neurotypical but cannot be neurodiverse - only a group can be neurodiverse.

Cisheteroneuronormativity

Noun

This one is a mouthful. If we break it down, (cis)(hetero)(neuro)normativity refers to the combination of cisnormativity, heteronormativity, and neuronormativity - so the set of norms, standards, and expectations that upholds and centers cisgender, straight, and neurotypical identities and ways of existing. It assumes these ways of being are the default and results in systems that prioritize and benefit those who adhere to these ways of existing.

Autistic

Adjective

A diagnostic term that refers to someone who meets the criteria for the autism spectrum.

Allistic

Adjective

Someone who is not autistic.

AuDHD

Adjective

Someone who is autistic and ADHD.