What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

The word “neurodivergent” is everywhere these days, used to describe everything from autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to anxiety and dyslexia. It’s such a widely used term, you may be wondering: Is everyone neurodivergent?

“The term has spread like wildfire on social media, where it’s natural to compare ourselves with others,” explains University Hospitals pediatric neuropsychologist Erin Babbitt, PsyD. “It’s not a medical term, so the question is: does it lead to a diagnosis that helps us give someone the right care and a better quality of life?”

Dr. Babbitt shares how she and her colleagues evaluate whether someone has a condition that could benefit from treatment.

What Is Neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence refers to a range of conditions such as:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• ADHD
• Bipolar disorder
• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Intellectual disability
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Sensory processing disorder
• Speech disorders
• Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders

Like the number of conditions, the list of their causes is long. With most of them, environmental factors and genetics play a role, and several medical conditions can raise a child’s risk for these conditions – or mimic them.

“For example, there is a higher incidence of autism in children with seizure disorders and other neurological conditions,” explains child psychiatrist Mary Gabriel, MD. “On the other hand, a condition like hearing loss or anxiety can actually present with symptoms that are mistaken for autism.”

Making a Diagnosis in Children

When children exhibit signs of a potential disorder, tools are used to assess them based on symptoms described by parents or teachers. “With the autism tool, we can see if children are more interested in objects themselves than the intent of an object,” says Dr. Gabriel. “For example, if you give a child with autism a toy car, rather than pretend to drive them, they might line them up by color or size.”

Though useful, Dr. Babbitt cautions that the tests require context. “They offer a snapshot of the child on the day they’re assessed,” she explains. “That’s why we perform a thorough behavioral intake to understand what’s going on.”

A thorough evaluation can also detect conditions such as anxiety, OCD, sensory processing disorders and learning differences like dyslexia. Treatment is based on the specific condition, from applied behavioral therapy (ABA), used in autism, to speech therapy. “One of the most important things you can do first for a child with developmental differences is to help them learn to communicate and express their needs,” notes Dr. Gabriel.

Certain medications and talk therapy can also be part of the picture. “Because each child’s brain is unique, common treatments may be ineffective or cause unexpected side effects. When these treatments fail, sometimes you throw out the textbook and treat the patient in front of you,” she adds.

Understanding Neurodivergence in Adults

While many of these conditions are identified in childhood, experts are seeing more adults questioning whether certain challenges may mean they’re neurodivergent, too. “They struggle in ways that differ from their peers – at work, in relationships or with daily functioning – and are looking for clarity,” explains Thomas Scheidemantel, MD, an adult psychiatrist. “They may read or hear about undiagnosed autism or ADHD and wonder if that’s what is going on.”

To determine whether symptoms have emerged recently or went undiagnosed in childhood, Dr. Scheidemantel performs a comprehensive psychiatric assessment and gathers as much background information as possible – from family, partners, past school records or other relevant sources.

The treatment of neurodivergent adults is often adapted from pediatric care, but tailored to adult needs. For autistic adults, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful for managing social or behavioral challenges, particularly for those without intellectual disabilities. Community engagement and structured social opportunities are also valuable, since many adults on the spectrum seek connection but may struggle with social communication skills.

Adults diagnosed with ADHD may benefit from behavioral strategies focused on organization, attention and executive functioning, while evidence-based medications can significantly improve daily functioning.

Just getting a diagnosis can be a huge step forward. “For many adults, identifying as neurodivergent can be empowering, and a way to better understand themselves and advocate for the support they need,” Dr. Scheidemantel adds.

Related Links

Developmental behavioral specialists child psychologists and psychiatrists, and adult psychiatrists at University Hospitals are trained to expertly diagnose and treat a range of developmental and behavioral conditions.