Have you heard the term “neurodivergent”? It’s often used to describe people with a variety of mental health conditions that change how people interact with the world around them.
What is neurodivergent behavior? Hypersensitivity, repetitive behaviors, lack of social understanding and many other signs may indicate someone is neurodivergent, but how does that differ from neuroatypical? The term “atypical” is often associated with “abnormal,” which isn’t a good description for those who are neurodivergent. Some common signs of neurodivergence are outside the norm for society as a whole, but they’re often typical and normal for someone who’s neurodivergent.
Defining Neurodivergent and Neuroatypical
No two brains are exactly alike, but most people have substantial similarities in structure and function, which means they’re neurotypical. Their neurology is typical for the average person.
Someone who’s neuroatypical may or may not have a diagnosed mental health condition but has an atypical brain structure. Think of neuroatypical as a way to look at mental health from a solely physical perspective. It describes the structure of the brain, not the function.
So, what does neurodivergent mean? Neurodivergent is a term used to describe all people with a brain that functions differently from the typical brain. Many conditions fall under this heading, including:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Dyslexia
- Tourette’s
- Dyscalculia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
These are just some commonly diagnosed conditions that fall under the neurodivergent classification.
Common Neurodivergent Conditions and Traits
Neurodivergent traits can affect all parts of life. A neurotypical person isn’t “normal” but rather someone who fits within the expected range for a wide variety of social and intellectual characteristics often influenced by culture. For example, direct eye contact differs from culture to culture. In some, direct eye contact is considered rude, while in other cultures, failing to make eye contact is rude. In either case, the ability to understand when to make eye contact to meet societal expectations is part of the broad range of behaviors that indicate neurotypical people. Those who don’t have these traits or express them very differently are neurodiverse.
By themselves, the traits exhibited by those who are neurodivergent are neither positive nor negative but can be a strength or a challenge, depending on the situation.
Below are some traits that someone with autism spectrum disorder may experience, sorted into challenges and strengths.
StrengthsChallengesHas an intense focus on areas of interestStruggles to communicate verballyCommunicates honestly and directlyMay be totally nonverbalIs highly observantHas difficulty expressing emotions or empathyExhibits exceptional memory skillsHas an abnormal speaking rhythm or toneExcels at problem-solving and puzzles
Fails to reliably recognize nonverbal cues
Has above-average skills development in math, music or artHyperfocuses on areas of interestWorks well in isolationUses repetitive motions or noisesPerforms tasks highly accuratelyResponds poorly to changes in routineExcels at repetitive tasksOverreacts to sensory stimulus
Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Individuals
Above, we’ve taken a look at some traits common to people with ASD, but there are other categories of challenges that affect people who are neurodiverse.
- Executive function struggles. Executive function refers to higher-level cognitive skills that help people manage things, such as organizing their calendars or regulating emotions. Those who struggle with executive function might have difficulty starting tasks, forget deadlines and lose things.
- Depression and anxiety. Failing at tasks that seem easy for others can, over the long term, lead to depression. People who are neurodivergent are more likely to experience depression or anxiety. In fact, autistic people are four times more likely to experience depression compared to the neurotypical population.
- Conduct problems. Those who are neurodiverse often have behaviors that could be considered disruptive in many environments. For example, stimming behaviors, such as rocking, tapping fingers, hitting the chest or other fidgeting, can be distracting in a school environment.
Tailoring Mental Health Care for Neurodivergent Needs
When working with those who are neurodivergent, a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t exist; neurodivergent patients often need specialized approaches. For example, a patient who struggles with overstimulation might need treatment in a low-stim setting. This might involve reducing the number of distractions or decor items in a space.
Therapy should be supportive of the individual and assist in managing the challenges of a neurodiverse person. This often means identifying areas of strength and building from there to extend these strengths and finding ways to make weaknesses manageable.
Promoting Acceptance and Understanding
“Neurodivergent” isn’t synonymous with “disabled,” and different behaviors and functions aren’t inherently good or bad. A person who struggles with staying on task but excels at an area of interest develops expertise more readily than someone who can focus on many things.
When neurodivergence does indicate a disability, it’s important to focus on areas where the person can excel. While dyslexia can be crippling in society, it also often leads to extremely creative problem-solving and highly developed artistic abilities. Often, the challenges of neurodivergence have more to do with societal expectations than with the person. As society starts to accept a broader range of acceptable communication and interactions, these challenges may become small stumbling blocks instead of a sheer cliff.
If you or someone you love is neurodivergent, support is available. At Mental Health Hotline, we help connect you with mental health care providers who are sensitive to neurodivergent needs. Call anytime — someone is always waiting to take your call.
