Neurodiverse vs Neurodivergent

The language we use to describe our minds is constantly evolving. For many people in our community, the shift toward identity-first language and the rise of the neurodiversity movement has been a breath of fresh air. It has moved the conversation away from "disorders" and "deficits" toward a more respectful understanding of human difference.

However, as these terms have entered the mainstream, some confusion has naturally followed. Two of the most common terms you will see on the Autism Info Center and across social media are "neurodiverse" and "neurodivergent". While they look and sound similar, they actually mean very different things.

Getting these terms right is about more than just being "correct". It is about honoring the history of our movement and ensuring that we are using language that accurately reflects the people we are talking about.

The origin of the neurodiversity movement

To understand the difference between being neurodivergent and being part of a neurodiverse group, we have to look back at where these ideas came from. The concept of neurodiversity was born in the late 1990s, primarily through the work of an Australian sociologist named Judy Singer and American journalist Harvey Blume.

Before this time, almost every conversation about Autism, ADHD, or Dyslexia was framed through a medical lens. The focus was on what was "wrong" with a person's brain compared to a supposed "normal" standard.

Singer, who is Autistic herself, proposed a different way of looking at it. She suggested that just as we value "biodiversity" in the natural world - understanding that an ecosystem is healthier when it contains a wide variety of plants and animals - we should value "neurodiversity" in the human world.

The core idea was simple but revolutionary: there is no single "right" or "standard" type of human brain. Instead, there is a natural, healthy range of variation in how our brains are wired. Differences in thinking, learning, and processing are not bugs in the human operating system; they are features of human diversity.

Understanding neurodiverse

The word "neurodiverse" is a collective noun. It describes a group, not a person.

When we talk about biodiversity, we are talking about an entire forest or a coral reef. A single tree cannot be "biodiverse" because diversity requires a collection of different things. In the same way, a single person cannot be "neurodiverse".

A group is neurodiverse if the people within it have different types of brain wiring. This includes everyone. A neurodiverse group usually contains:

• Neurotypical people

  People whose brain functions, processes, and behaviours fall within the range of what society considers "typical".

• Neurodivergent people

  People whose brains function or process information in ways that diverge significantly from the dominant societal standards (such as Autistic people, those with ADHD, or those with Dyslexia).

If you are in a room with ten people and some are Autistic, some are Dyslexic, and some are neurotypical, that room is a neurodiverse environment.

Using "neurodiverse" to describe a single person is a common mistake, but it misses the point of the word. If we call an Autistic person "a neurodiverse person", we are accidentally implying that they are the "diverse" one while everyone else is "normal".

Neurodiversity includes everyone. It is a word that describes the entire human race. By using it correctly, we acknowledge that every person - regardless of their neurotype - is a part of the beautiful spectrum of human cognition.

Understanding neurodivergent

If "neurodiverse" describes the group, "neurodivergent" describes the person. This term was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, a multi-divergent neurodiversity activist.

To "diverge" means to move away from a standard path or to be different from a main point. Therefore, a neurodivergent person is someone whose brain functions in ways that diverge significantly from the societal "norm".

While the neurodiversity movement started with a focus on Autism, the term neurodivergent is intentionally broad. It is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of experiences. Some people are born neurodivergent, while others may become neurodivergent through experience or injury.

Common examples of neurodivergence include:

• Autism and the Autism Spectrum

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia

• Tourette Syndrome

• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

• Acquired brain injuries

• Complex PTSD

Being neurodivergent is an identity. It is a way of saying, "My brain works differently than what society expects, and that is a fundamental part of who I am".

How to use both terms correctly

If you want to be a clear and affirming communicator, there are a few simple rules of thumb you can follow:

• Use neurodiverse when talking about groups

  For example, "Our workforce is neurodiverse", or "We want to create a neurodiverse classroom". This means the group contains many different types of thinkers.

• Use neurodivergent when talking about a person

  For example, "He is neurodivergent", or "I am a neurodivergent teacher". This identifies the person as having a brain that works differently from the typical standard.

• Avoid saying "the neurodiverse"

  Just as we avoid saying "the traditionals" or "the normals", we should avoid grouping people into a monolith. Instead of saying "We need to support the neurodiverse", you might say "We need to support neurodivergent people".

• Respect individual preferences

  While neurodivergent is a helpful umbrella term, many people prefer more specific language. A person might prefer to be called "Autistic" or "an ADHDer". Neurodivergent is a great way to talk about the community as a whole, but it should never replace a person's specific identity if they have expressed a preference.

How these words can be empowering, if used right

The shift from medical labels to neurodiversity language is a powerful act of self-reclamation. For decades, neurodivergent people were told that they were "broken versions of normal". The language of the clinic was often cold, focused entirely on what a person could not do.

By embracing the terms neurodivergent and neurodiverse, we change the narrative in several ways:

1. Moving away from "disordered"

   When we use these terms, we are not denying that being neurodivergent can come with challenges. We are, however, refusing to see those challenges as inherent "defects". Many of the struggles neurodivergent people face are actually "social" struggles - the result of trying to live in a world designed for a different type of brain.

2. Building a sense of community

   The term neurodivergent allows people with very different diagnoses to find common ground. An Autistic person and a person with ADHD may have different traits, but they often share similar experiences of being misunderstood by society. This shared identity helps us advocate for better access, better understanding, and better rights for everyone whose brain works differently.

3. Celebrating strengths

   Neurodiversity encourages us to look at the whole person. Instead of just looking for "symptoms", we look for the unique ways a neurodivergent brain might excel. This might include deep focus, creative problem solving, pattern recognition, or an intense passion for specific subjects.

A positive way forward, for you and me

The Autism Info Center's goal is to ensure that every person who visits feels seen and valued - and the language we all choose to use is a huge part of that.

When we use the word "neurodiverse", we are celebrating the fact that humanity is not a monoculture. We are acknowledging that a variety of minds is necessary for a thriving society. For example, some of the greatest advancements in science, art, and technology have come from people who refused to think "normally".

When we use the word "neurodivergent", we are offering a badge of identity. We are telling people that their way of experiencing the world - whether it is through the intense sensory world of Autism or the rapid-fire ideas of ADHD - is valid.

It is okay if you have used these words interchangeably in the past. Language is a journey, and we are all learning together. The most important thing is the intention behind the words. By choosing to use neurodivergent and neurodiverse correctly, you are showing that you respect the history of this movement and the lived experiences of the people within it.

We aren't just looking for "acceptance" in a world that tolerates us. We're trying to build a world that understands that neurodivergence is a natural part of being human. Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, a parent, a teacher, family, or friend, using this language correctly helps us create a future where every brain is given the understanding and space to flourish.

So, the next time you're describing a group of people with different thinking styles, remember: they're neurodiverse. When you're describing one person who thinks differently from the rest, they're neurodivergent.