What Is Neurodivergence?
Understanding the many ways our brains and bodies can work
You may have heard the word neurodivergent before—maybe on social media, in therapy, or from a friend who was recently diagnosed. But what does it really mean? And how does it shape the way someone experiences life?
The Basics: Neurodivergent is Different, Not Defective
The term neurodivergent describes people whose brains and nervous systems function differently from what’s considered “typical.” The opposite term, neurotypical, refers to people whose brain processes and responses generally align with cultural and medical expectations of “normal.”
Neither label is meant to define worth or ability. Instead, they describe patterns of processing—how a person thinks, feels, learns, and responds to the world around them.
How Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Brains Differ
A neurotypical brain tends to handle focus, emotional regulation, and sensory input in predictable ways. These individuals might move through daily life without needing extra strategies to stay organized, manage overwhelm, or interpret social cues.
A neurodivergent brain, on the other hand, might:
Process sensory information (like sound, light, or texture) more intensely or less consistently.
Experience strong emotional or physiological reactions to stress.
Struggle with or excel in executive functions like planning, time management, or focus.
Move between “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” states more easily, due to differences in nervous system sensitivity.
These are not flaws—they’re natural variations in how the human brain can be wired.
Common Forms of Neurodivergence
Neurodivergence is an umbrella term, encompassing a wide range of neurological, developmental, and mental health differences. Here are a few examples:
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Often involves differences in attention regulation, impulse control, and energy levels. People with ADHD are often deeply intuitive, innovative, and quick-thinking, even if focus comes in bursts.
Autism: Involves unique patterns in communication, sensory processing, and social understanding. Autistic individuals may notice details others miss, think deeply about moral or systemic issues, and experience the world in richly textured ways.
Anxiety Disorders: While sometimes categorized differently, chronic anxiety affects how the nervous system functions—keeping it in a heightened state of alert and influencing how attention, digestion, and energy are managed.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder): Involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that attempt to relieve anxiety or regain a sense of safety.
Dyslexia and Other Learning Differences: Affect how the brain processes written or verbal information. Many people with learning differences have exceptional creativity, visual-spatial reasoning, or problem-solving strengths.
FND (Functional Neurological Disorder): A condition in which the brain’s communication with the body gets disrupted, leading to symptoms like tremors, weakness, or seizures without a detectable brain injury. It highlights the profound mind-body connection that many neurodivergent people experience daily.
Why It Matters
When we view neurodivergence through a medicalized or deficit-based lens, we miss the larger truth: human brains are meant to be diverse. What one person calls a “symptom” might be another person’s strength—or a natural protective response shaped by trauma or environment.
Recognizing and affirming neurodivergent differences allows us to:
Offer support rather than correction.
Understand behaviors through a nervous system lens rather than judgment.
Create environments where people can thrive without masking who they are.
At Valley-High Counseling, I often remind clients that there’s no such thing as a “normal” nervous system—only your nervous system. Understanding your unique wiring can bring tremendous relief and open the door to self-compassion, better coping strategies, and more authentic connection.
Because survival was never the whole story—and learning how your brain and body work is part of truly living.