What is Neurodivergence?

Variations in neurocognition

Natural variations in neurocognition occur in all populations, reflecting differences in the neural architecture that supports cognitive processes. Our biological complexity influences how we perceive, process, think, move, and communicate.

Neurobiological variations influence:

— Attention allocation and its effects on focus, hyperfocus, learning, and working memory—as well as emotional regulation and capacity.
— Processing, encoding, and interpreting information, including sensory input, social behaviors, spatial perception, emotional experiences, and time.
— Thought patterns, including abstract and analytical reasoning, planning and decision-making, and cognitive flexibility.
— Movement, balance, and motor expression.
— Communication styles, language development, speech fluency, receptive and expressive communication, and verbal and nonverbal interaction.

Everyone experiences variability in these areas. While not a clinical term, neurodivergence can be defined as diverging, meaningfully and for a sustained period, from what is typical in one or more of these cognitive domains.

Author and advocate Nick Walker wrote in 2014:
“Neurodivergent, sometimes abbreviated as ND, means having a mind that functions in ways which diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards of ‘normal.’
Neurodivergent is quite a broad term. Neurodivergence (the state of being neurodivergent) can be largely or entirely genetic and innate, or it can be largely or entirely produced by brain-altering experience, or some combination of the two.”

In addition to lifelong cognitive differences, many people experience long-lasting but time-limited neurodivergence at some point in their lives, such as early language difficulties that later resolve. Atypical neurobiology originates for different reasons that vary from person to person. Heritable differences in neural development may be present from birth or emerge in later years. Trauma, injury, or long‑term medical conditions may also affect underlying brain structure and neural pathways.

Neurodiversity rights

Neurobiology, environment, experience, and context all play a role in forming cognitive profiles—to the extent that each person’s cognitive style might be considered unique.

Yet overlapping patterns in how we perceive, process, think, move, and communicate lead to common challenges and strengths. By connecting over shared experiences, neurodivergent adults and children also increasingly share a sense of community and identity.

The social model of disability argues that systemic barriers and exclusion account for much of what marginalized groups experience as disabling. This model focuses on rights and access without implying individual-level deficits. Advocacy aims to change environments and expectations that lead to adverse experiences. To approach equity, neurodivergent people require supports in place across educational, occupational, and healthcare settings.

Overlapping cognitive patterns can call for similar types of support, making it possible for thoughtfully designed environments and programs to accommodate multiple experiences from the start. As with curb cuts and video captioning, supports first designed for disabled and other marginalized people often benefit everyone. Considerations for neurodivergent people may have the same effects, elevating everyone’s experiences.

As common neurodevelopmental profiles, autism and ADHD demonstrate strengths at both the individual and group level. These include traits like pattern recognition, hyper-systemizing, attention to detail, creativity, honesty, dedication, hyperfocus, energy, drive, and exploration. Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur with one another and with other forms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric divergence.

The neurodiversity paradigm recognizes all variations.

The neurodiversity paradigm

The concept of neurodiversity was first articulated through community discussion in the mid-1990s. In 1996, Tony Langdon responded to the Independent Living (InLv) mailing list:
“I’m becoming more sure that what allows the human race to progress socially and technologically is the neurological diversity of people. I.e., the atypical among a society provide the different perspectives needed to generate new ideas and advances, whether they be technological, cultural, artistic or otherwise.”

Our complex profiles and nuanced combinations create a lattice of cognitive styles. Although not appreciated until recent decades, this dynamic reality has been present throughout human history. Research on neurodevelopmental strengths (above) suggests that behavioral diversity was adaptive for our species, helping us thrive.

By this logic, the evolutionary value becomes clear, as does the cultural enrichment that comes with greater understanding. Everyone stands to benefit from the resilience and candor of our cognitive diversity.