Neurodiversity literally means ‘brain differences’. Neurodiversity refers to the idea that no two human brains’ will function in exactly the same way. Neurological differences are part of natural human variation. Within this, it is recognised that it is possible to broadly group individuals according to their neurological functioning, for example, neurotypical people, autistic people, people with ADHD.
Neurodiversity seeks to reframe the thinking that neurological functioning that is outside of the neurotypical is disordered and needs to be ‘fixed’ and instead puts the onus on society to celebrate everyone’s differences and be more accepting and accommodating of everyone’s needs, not just those who are neurotypical.