Neurodivergent: What It Means, Potential Symptoms, & Self-Care

The different types of neurodivergence and how to manage them

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 25, 2023 References

What does “neurodivergent” mean?

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Signs of Neurodivergence

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How do you live well as a neurodivergent person?

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Tips

Has someone recently described themselves as “neurodivergent” but you aren’t sure what they meant by it? Maybe it’s the first time you’ve heard the term, or maybe someone mentioned it in a social media post and you relate to it a lot. Either way, we're going to walk you through all the details below. We'll even include a list of common neurodivergent traits. Just remember: "neurodivergent" is an umbrella term that describes tons of different conditions, so it's unlikely that anyone will relate to every trait listed. Let's dive in.

Things You Should Know

The term “neurodivergent” describes a person whose brain develops or works differently than most people's.
Neurodivergent conditions include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, Down syndrome, Tourettes, and more.
Traits can include difficulty focusing, trouble with reading, repetitive behavior, and struggling socially. It varies based on the condition(s) you have.
There is no “cure” for being neurodivergent, but it doesn’t need one! The different ways people communicate and express themselves are what make them unique.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “neurodivergent” mean?

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Neurodivergent means your brain works differently than others. Even though the term has been around since the 90s, it’s become more widely used on TikTok and other social media sites. Someone who is neurodivergent may have different strengths or challenges completing a task compared to another person. Rather than using words like “normal” or “abnormal” that are hard to define or could sound hurtful, “neurodivergent” is a much kinder term when you’re talking about someone with mental differences.^{[1]
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PubMed Central
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- Someone who isn’t considered neurodivergent is “neurotypical,” which means the way their brain works doesn’t affect their day-to-day lives.
- “Neurodiversity” means that there is no single definition for “normal” thinking, learning, or behaving and that these differences should be celebrated rather than looked down on.^{[2]
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  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
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Many conditions, like autism and ADHD, are considered neurodivergent. Rather than being the label for a single condition, neurodivergent is an umbrella term for any brain-related difference that could affect how you learn, interact, or experience the world around you. While autism and ADHD are some of the more common examples, neurodivergence includes:^{[3]
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- Down syndrome
- Learning disabilities like Dyslexia (difficulty with reading),Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing), and Dyscalculia (difficulty with math)
- Tourette’s syndrome (motor or vocal tics)
- Intellectual disability
- Brain injury
- Personality disorders
- Mental illnesses like social anxiety, depression, OCD, degenerative illnesses, and more^{[5]
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Did You Know? Neurodivergence involves diagnosable brain-related conditions. That means that things like personality traits (e.g. introversion) or conditions not affecting the mind (like asthma) don't make you neurodivergent. Many neurodivergent people can call themselves disabled.

Section 2 of 3:

Signs of Neurodivergence

Exact traits vary based on conditions and individual. Here are a few of the more common things.

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Focus issues Do you have a hard time paying attention because you’re distracted or thoughts are racing through your head? Or do you get hyper-focused on a particular subject or individual details that you can’t remember anything else that happened? It could be a sign that you’re neurodivergent.^{[6]
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American Psychological Association
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Trouble with reading, writing, or math Neurodivergent minds have different strengths and weaknesses. Your brain may struggle to process certain types of concepts, so it may take some extra time to understand the passage you’re reading or a problem you’re solving. You may have trouble putting words in the right order when you write or speak, or you may have trouble doing simple calculations in your head.^{[7]
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Repetitive behaviors These could be parroting noises or phrases that you’ve heard, moving part of your body repeatedly, or moving objects in a pattern (e.g. lining up pencils). A "tic" is involuntary and hard or impossible to control. A "stim" or "fidget" can be on purpose, or you might not realize you're doing it, and it can help you manage your feelings and sensory needs.^{[8]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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Strong responses to sensory input Do you get a little overwhelmed when you’re around loud noises, bright lights, or large groups of people? Some neurodivergent people have more sensitivity to intense stimuli, so they could feel uncomfortable or anxious if they’re put in these situations.^{[9]
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- You may also be sensitive to certain textures or objects, such as preferring a smaller spoon over a larger one or finding clothing tags uncomfortable.
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Struggling to communicate with others Some neurodivergent people find it a little tough to break the ice or maintain a conversation that they aren’t fully interested in. It may also be tougher to maintain eye contact, show emotion with your voice, or read non-verbal cues from the other person. In some cases, you may have trouble "reading between the lines" and understanding the nuances of what others are trying to say.^{[10]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Difficulty adapting to change Many neurodivergent people follow a familiar routine so they know what to expect throughout the day, but even a small change to the schedule could trigger some anxiety. You may also feel comfortable following the same pattern in your day-to-day life, and it could feel difficult to break out of the daily habits you’ve already set for yourself.^{[11]
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Creative and original thinking Neurodivergence often comes with good parts too. Creativity and a unique way of seeing the world are common in neurodivergent people. Many different conditions come with different strengths as well as needs. For example, many autistic people are good at recognizing patterns and many people with ADHD are clear-headed in a crisis. You can read about common strengths for your specific condition(s).

Section 3 of 3:

How do you live well as a neurodivergent person?

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Get an official diagnosis for more specific care plans. Even though some neurodivergent conditions share traits, it’s important to find the underlying cause so you find coping strategies that are the most effective. Talk openly to your doctor about what you’re experiencing and what you struggle with. They may run tests or recommend a screening from a specialist to diagnose what you have.^{[12]
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- Ask your doctor if there are any medicines you can take to help you focus or feel less anxious. While the medication won’t completely eliminate your symptoms, they may be a bit easier to manage.^{[13]
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  Greater Good Magazine
  Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
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Do soothing activities when you’re overwhelmed. When you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation if you’re able to so you have some space. Take a moment to do something that’s relaxing and makes you feel calm, such as getting out into nature, visualizing a relaxing scene, listening to music, or journaling. When you feel your nerves start to go away, try to slowly reintroduce yourself into the situation again. ^{[14]
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- Other activities you can try include exercising, drawing, stretching, or even just sitting next to a loved one in silence.
- Plan for extra relaxation time when you have a stressful event planned.
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Tell other people about your needs. If there are specific ways that another person can support you, try to be direct about what you need from them. Clearly tell them what will help you complete a task or feel more comfortable so they’re aware of how you’re feeling. As you speak up more about your needs, it’ll be easier for others to adapt so they can clearly talk or interact with you.^{[15]
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- Example: If you have trouble focusing in class because of loud noises, you may tell a teacher that you need to wear noise-canceling headphones to drown out the noise.
- Example: If you’re overwhelmed in a large crowd, you may ask your friends to move to a different spot where you have a little more personal space.
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Remind yourself it’s okay to not be perfect. If you’re getting frustrated with yourself for struggling with a task, take a second to close your eyes and tell yourself it’s okay. Rather than putting pressure on yourself to do something in the same way as a neurotypical person, practice some self-compassion and recognize all the hard work you’ve already done to get to this point.^{[16]
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- Don’t be afraid to try something different if you need to pivot. If what you’re doing already isn’t working, take a breath and brainstorm a new way to overcome the issue.
- Neurotypicals struggle with some things too based on their own skills and needs. The fact you may struggle more with certain things doesn't make you less important, nor does it diminish your strengths in other areas.
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See a therapist to work through how to manage your condition. Make an appointment and let your therapist know what you’re experiencing and what condition you have. Your therapist will help you come up with specific strategies to use in your normal routine to set yourself up for success and when you’re feeling overwhelmed to help you calm down.^{[17]
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Network with other neurodivergent people. You aren't alone, and other people have similar experiences and struggles. It can help to hear from others who have minds like yours. Try joining an in-person group or online community full of people like you. They can offer advice, affirmations, and connection.