Diversities Matter
Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many ways, with no one "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not deficits. Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder and other neurological or developmental disorders such as ADHD or dyslexia. Referring to someone as neurodiverse or neurodivergent is a way to focus on the positive aspects of their differences and what that can bring to the group setting. NIH Style Guide
What conditions can a neurodivergent person have?
People who identify themselves as neurodivergent typically have one or more of the conditions or disorders listed below. However, since there aren’t any medical criteria or definitions of what it means to be neurodivergent, other conditions also can fall under this term as well. People with these conditions may also choose not to identify themselves as neurodivergent. When in doubt, ask, because words matter.
Discover MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the largest biomedical library in the world. Use Medlineplus.gov anywhere, anytime, on any device - for free - to discover high-quality health and wellness information that is reliable, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.
Use MedlinePlus to discover some of the conditions that are most common among those who describe themselves as neurodivergent, including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Down Syndrome
- Learning Differences
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Tourette Syndrome
Discover NIH
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.
The primary NIH organization for research on neuro conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health.
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine is an online news publication written by professional journalists. All scientific and medical information is reviewed for accuracy by representatives of the National Institutes of Health. In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month celebrated in April, read and learn 6 key facts about autism spectrum disorder.
Discover More
Terms of use: Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) staff offer these health discussion resources for educational use. The materials included do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the author, publisher, or the sponsoring agencies of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).