ND 101: What Is Neurodiversity?
To put it simply, neurodiversity = brain diversity. Just like biodiversity means variety in nature, neurodiversity means that human brains all work differently from one another. This variation is a natural and normal part of human development, not a defect to be fixed.
​Neurodiversity recognizes that different neurological profiles (like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia) represent different ways that a human brain can "diverge" from what is considered "typical." A neurodivergent brain is not a bad thing; it’s just a different way of processing the world, like being left-handed instead of right-handed.
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Because neurotypical brains make up the majority, the world is (understandably!) designed around what works best for them. But this can leave neurodivergent people at a disadvantage, especially when society considers divergent brains to be "broken" or "diseased."
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All brains have unique strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives, and no single brain type is "correct" or "better." Neurodiversity simply reframes how we view and respond to these differences, enabling traditional support systems to move in a more affirming direction.
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And that's just the beginning—check out the rest of this page for an in-depth look at the concepts, history, and language surrounding neurodiversity!
Stay Tuned!
We're working on new updates and can't wait to share them with you.
In the meantime, we recommend reading "Neurodiversity: Some Basic Terms & Definitions" by Nick Walker.