neurodivergent

adjective

neu·​ro·​di·​ver·​gent ˌnu̇r-ō-də-ˈvər-jənt 

ˌnyu̇r-

: having or relating to a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of variations in typical neurological development

Traveling can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. For neurodivergent travelers, schedule changes, new sights and sounds, airport delays, and unfamiliar foods can pose additional challenges.

—Jamie Davis Smith

It's also crucial when working with neurodivergent professionals to view management as an avenue for coaching. Too often, companies fire neurodivergent youth for not performing in the same way as neurotypical employees. Businesses must provide frequent, comprehensive reviews to better communicate what they need from an employee and to allow the employee to better understand how they can improve within their role.

—Brandon Cardet-Hernandez and Kevin McGrath

compare neurotypical

neurodivergent noun

plural neurodivergents

Some neurodivergents have difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues during interactions, such as subtle cues in sarcasm or flirtation …

—Maria Febiana Christanti et al.

Examples of neurodivergent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Laurie Kern, who has two neurodivergent daughters in Cajon Valley Union School District, said that often public schools are the only schools with the infrastructure and community to support some students with disabilities. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

By focusing on such strengths, organizations can move beyond stereotypes, recognizing the untapped potential within neurodivergent employees. —Julia Dhar, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Traditional interviews usually present barriers for neurodivergent job seekers. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025

The potential death of DEI will exacerbate the erasure of neurodivergent people. —Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

The superpower narrative suggested that neurodivergent people were magical work fairies who could do difficult tasks faster than anyone else. —Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

The Accountant 2 also stars Daniel Pineda, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, and several young neurodivergent performers who were cast from Los Angeles area programs. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2025

The roughly 100-square-foot room, located in Concourse A, was designed by medical professionals and neurodivergent individuals. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025

Some neurodivergent people might experience rejection aversion even more acutely. —Jillian Anthony, Vox, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + divergent

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neurodivergent

• convergent
• detergent
• divergent
• emergent
• insurgent
• resurgent
• serjeant
• urgent

Medical Definition

neurodivergent

adjective

neu·​ro·​di·​ver·​gent -də-ˈvər-jənt, -dī- 

: having or relating to a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivitydisorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of variations in typical neurological development

Neurodivergent individuals often have particular communication needs and preferences, heightened sensory sensitivity, and challenges with executive functioning. … These aspects of neurodivergent experience fundamentally impact the way neurodivergent individuals communicate and interact with others and perform professional work.

—Maitraye Das et al., Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interactions

compare neurotypical

neurodivergent noun

Some neurodivergents have difficulty interpreting nonverbal cues during interactions, such as subtle cues in sarcasm or flirtation. … While text-based communication can provide inclusive space, it can be overwhelming for neurodivergents due to the lack of nonverbal cues …

—Maria Febiana Christanti et al., International Journal of Social Science Research & Review