Neurotypical
Neurotypical refers to individuals whose thought processes, emotions, and information processing align with societal norms, which can evolve over time. This term is often contrasted with neurodivergent, encompassing those who experience cognitive and emotional differences that diverge from the mainstream. The distinction was created to reduce stigma around neurodivergent conditions, promoting an understanding that these variations are differences rather than deficits. Neurotypical individuals generally navigate social situations and daily tasks with greater ease due to a societal structure designed with their experiences in mind. This often results in social privilege, as neurotypical people typically have a more intuitive grasp of social cues and may face fewer challenges in educational and professional contexts. However, it is essential to recognize that neurotypical individuals can still encounter personal struggles, albeit often of a different nature than those faced by neurodivergent individuals. Activists advocate for neurotypical individuals to leverage their privilege to foster inclusivity and accommodate neurodivergent perspectives, enriching society as a whole. Understanding these terms fosters a more compassionate dialogue about cognitive diversity and the importance of inclusivity.
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Neurotypical
Neurotypical refers to people who think, feel, and process information in a manner that aligns with traditional societal standards. Because these standards change over time, so does the definition of neurotypical. The term was created as a counterpart to the term neurodivergent, which refers to people who think, feel, and process information in a way that deviates from societal standards. Both terms were created to destigmatize certain disabilities, encouraging people to treat them less like problems and more like differences.
Neurotypical people often experience a significant amount of social privilege. Because society was designed with neurotypical people in mind, many tasks may be easier for them than neurodivergent people. Some modern activists work to make society more accommodating for neurodivergent people, encouraging neurotypical people to use their privilege to improve lives for their neurodivergent counterparts.
Background
Neurotypical is a term that is defined in opposition to the term neurodivergent. Neurodivergent is a broad term referring to those who think, act, or process information differently than most others. In the past, scientists and medical professionals considered neurodivergence to be problematic. They sought to cure neurodivergent people, forcing them to think and act in a way that aligns with societal norms. However, modern medical science simply notes that neurodivergent people think and feel differently from neurotypical people without trying to change them. Though neurodivergent individuals may face problems that neurotypical people struggle to understand, nothing is inherently wrong with thinking or feeling differently.
Originally, the term neurodivergent was coined by the sociologist Judy Singer, who used it to refer to people who were diagnosed with autism. At the time, she felt that people with autism were unfairly stigmatized by the medical community. To frame autism as less of a disability, Singer began referring to autistic people as neurodivergent. Eventually, many other common disorders were included under the umbrella of neurodivergence. Today, some of the most common forms of neurodivergence include autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is an umbrella term that encompasses both behavior and emotions. Some people with ASD struggle with speech and socialization. They may also be particular about certain details and routines. However, people with ASD also tend to display strong attention to detail and creative problem solving.
ADHD is a type of neurodivergence that involves executive function deregulation, which refers to an individual’s ability to consciously manage their thoughts, feelings, and attention. Individuals with ADHD may struggle to control when they can focus on a given task or may experience unusually strong emotions.
Many other types of neurodivergence exist in addition to ASD and ADHD. Some other common disorders include dyslexia, depression, OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), and anxiety. Like autism and ADHD, these disorders may cause people to significantly struggle when they are forced to try to conform to a neurotypical standard.
Overview
The word “neurotypical” refers to any individual whose mental functions and brain development are considered normal by widespread societal standards. Because society changes over time, the personality traits and brain functions considered to be neurotypical also change. While some traits that cause people who are labeled neurodivergent are caused by medical conditions, the terms neurotypical and neurodivergent are not medical diagnoses. In fact, medical professionals may not have a standard definition for either term.
In the past, the word neurotypical was used exclusively to refer to people who were not autistic. However, the term has been broadened to include anyone who is not neurodivergent. In most circumstances, neurotypical people are those who do not have to struggle in daily life. They have no noticeable speech delays as children, making it less likely that certain disorders or difficulties will occur later in life. They also interact easily with peers and are comfortable in a variety of social situations. They can easily make eye contact, empathize with others, and maintain focus throughout a conversation. Neurotypical people do not have any abnormal sensory issues, such as extreme aversions to loud noises, certain textures, or large groups of people. Additionally, neurotypical people tend to be adaptable and able to change their habits to overcome tasks.
It is important to note that neurotypical people do sometimes struggle. For example, they may occasionally be uncomfortable in a crowd or in certain social situations. However, these difficulties are like those faced by most people. If a neurotypical person feels that a situation demands it, they can overcome these preferences in normal circumstances.
Society was constructed to neurotypical standards, so being neurotypical conveys privilege. Many tasks that may be difficult for neurodivergent individuals will prove easy or natural for neurotypical individuals. For example, neurotypical people commonly have a significantly easier time managing the Western school system than neurodivergent people. This allows them to easily transition into higher-paying careers.
Neurotypical people also tend to be better at navigating social interactions. They have a more instinctive understanding of social cues and rituals than many neurodivergent individuals. This can make it easier for neurotypical people to manage friendships and romantic relationships.
Many activists believe that it is the responsibility of neurotypical people to use their privilege to make the world more accommodating to neurodivergent individuals. Medical professionals now know that neurodivergent people are not inferior to neurotypical people. Instead, neurodivergent people simply process information differently. By making society more accommodating to neurodivergent people, neurotypical people may experience new perspectives and broaden their way of thinking.
Bibliography
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