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

Further, masking neurodivergent or mental health traits might be a survival mechanism for Black and Brown people interacting with the police or emergency services. —Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

The death penalty is wrong even if the accused is guilty, because the punishment is final and disproportionately wielded against working-class, Black, brown and/or neurodivergent people. —Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Parents of neurodivergent and disabled kids know that Halloween can be challenging. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 20 Sep. 2024

However, some neurodivergent people are more or less sensitive to the hidden senses, which can lead to difficulty with day-to-day tasks. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024

One out of seven people globally is neurodivergent. —Michelle Raz, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

In part, that’s because gifted programs have historically relied on IQ tests, a metric deeply rooted in eugenics that has historically discriminated against people of color and can be ineffective at testing neurodivergent people. —Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Aug. 2024

Annotating volumes of military and government data requires skills like hyper-focus, attention to detail and puzzle-solving, which neurodivergent workers are likelier to have. —Erica Pandey, Axios, 8 Aug. 2024

The Bride Test, Helen Hoang’s sweet 2019 follow-up to her first novel The Kiss Quotient, which also features an autistic character, is one of a growing number of romances with neurodivergent leads that have spearheaded important conversations about neurodiversity in the romance genre. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + divergent

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

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