Neurodivergent Definition: What Does It Mean to Be Neurodivergent?

Neurodivergence refers to the way some brains process information, emotions, and sensory input differently from what are considered to be neurotypical brains. The neurodivergent definition spans a range of experiences, including ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder, and more. While neurotypical brains process information in a way that aligns with societal expectations, neurodivergent brains take in more stimuli, details, and emotions all at once.

Sensitivity is at the core of neurodivergence. In our American culture, sensitivity has long been weaponized, often framed as a weakness. But in reality, it’s a superpower. Being highly attuned to details, emotions, and the world around you is a unique strength, even if it can lead to overwhelm. The key is to understand what’s happening so you can respond accordingly from a place of more awareness and self-compassion. 

Am I Neurodivergent?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I neurodivergent?”, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Many neurodivergent traits – like heightened sensitivity, social challenges, and emotional reactivity – often go unnoticed or are dismissed, especially in women. Women are socialized to mask their neurodivergence, making it harder to recognize. At the same time, healthcare providers frequently overlook these traits, dismissing them as anxiety, mood disorders, or personality quirks rather than indicators of a neurodivergent brain.

If you aren’t sure whether you’re neurodivergent but have your suspicions, you’re likely onto something. Here are some ways to gain more understanding about the topic:

• Read books by neurodivergent authors, such as Divergent Mind by Jenara Nerenberg, which explores the history of medical bias and deep dives into how neurodivergence presents, particularly in women.
• Listen to podcasts by and for people with neurodivergence
• Look for a therapist or neuropsychologist who can assess your experiences, offer tests, and guide you through the process of a formal diagnosis.
• Connect with neurodivergent communities online or in-person to learn from others with similar experiences.

Different Types of Neurodivergence

Neurodivergence is a broad spectrum that includes a variety of conditions, each with its own characteristics. Below is a list of neurodivergent disorders and traits, many of which often overlap.

ADHD

When people ask, Is ADHD neurodivergent? the answer is a resounding yes. ADHD is one of the most well-known forms of neurodivergence, but it’s often misunderstood. It’s not just about hyperactivity or distractibility, it’s about how the brain processes motivation, executive function, and emotions. While it looks different in everybody, many people with ADHD experience:

• Difficulty with time management and organization
• Hyperfocus on topics of interest
• Sensory sensitivities
• Emotional intensity, including frequent irritation, mood swings, and rejection sensitivity
• Impulsivity and difficulty regulating behavior

Because ADHD symptoms can vary widely, particularly between genders, many women go undiagnosed until adulthood. Their symptoms are often overlooked as anxiety or perfectionism rather than recognized as part of their neurodivergence.

Autism

Autism is another major form of neurodivergence, characterized by differences in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing. People on the autism spectrum often experience:

• Deep, specialized interests
• Sensory sensitivities
• Disinterest in and confusion by many social norms, such as eye contact or small talk
• Challenges with social communication and unspoken social rules
• A preference for routines and predictability

Many autistic women and nonbinary individuals remain undiagnosed due to outdated diagnostic criteria that were originally based on male presentations of autism. Their ability to mask and mimic neurotypical behavior to fit in often leads to misdiagnosis or being overlooked entirely.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when the brain is constantly processing and responding to a ton of sensory input, resulting in a lot of overwhelm a lot of the time. For folks with SPD, the world often feels too loud, too bright, and too intense, including:

• Near-constant feelings of overstimulation from situations that other people don’t seem to be affected by
• Mood swings, anxiety, and irritability resulting from overwhelm
• Intense sensitivity to visual and auditory input
• Easily overwhelmed by bright, noisy, or crowded environments
• Discomfort with certain textures, sounds, or smells
• A need for deep pressure or specific sensory input to feel grounded

SPD often overlaps with ADHD and autism, making it difficult to diagnose as a standalone condition. Many people with sensory processing challenges have spent their whole lives adapting (and frequently blaming themselves for their struggles) without realizing there was a name for their experiences.

Synesthesia

Synesthesia is a form of neurodivergence where one sense automatically triggers another. There are over 60 known types. Some neurodivergent examples of synesthesia include:

• Seeing colors when hearing music
• Associating numbers or letters with specific colors
• Feeling physical sensations in response to certain sounds
• Experiencing tastes when hearing certain sounds or words

While synesthesia isn’t a disorder, it’s a clear example of how neurodivergent brains process information differently. Many people with synesthesia also have ADHD, autism, or another form of neurodivergence.

Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is not a medical diagnosis, but it’s a recognized neurodivergent trait. If you’ve always felt more sensitive and feeling than your peers or loved ones, you’re likely an HSP. These folks tend to:

• Process emotions deeply
• Feel overwhelmed by strong stimuli (like bright lights and loud noises)
• Pick up on subtleties that others miss
• Attune strongly to others’ emotions, for better or worse 
• Need more downtime to recover from overstimulation

Many HSPs are also autistic, ADHDers, or have sensory processing challenges. High sensitivity is often dismissed as being "too emotional" or "too sensitive," but in reality, it’s just another way of experiencing the world more deeply.

The Overlap of Types of Neurodivergence 

If you have one type of neurodivergence, you’re more likely to have another. ADHD and autism frequently overlap, as do sensory processing challenges and being a Highly Sensitive Person. Many people who receive an ADHD diagnosis later realize they also relate to autistic traits, or vice versa.

This is why self-exploration is so important. Learning about the different types of neurodivergence can help you understand yourself better, advocate for your needs, and find a supportive community.

Therapy Can Help You Embrace Neurodivergence as Part of Who You Are

Neurodivergence isn’t something about you that needs to be fixed. It’s a different way of thinking, feeling, and experiencing the world. Unfortunately, many neurodivergent people grew up learning they were wrong or bad somehow. That feeling of being different can lead to assuming you just don’t belong in the world. I’m here to tell you that you do. The more science learns about neurodivergent brains, the more obvious it is that neurodivergence contains unique strengths, from creativity and innovation to deep empathy and attunement.

If you want support in your journey, I’m here to help. I offer anxiety and ADHD therapy services (including EMDR and talk therapy) if you’re located in Idaho, Iowa, or South Carolina. For all other locations, check out my coaching services. My coaching program offers all the same expertise, tools, and guidance as therapy in a more direct and goal-oriented approach that you can benefit from anywhere. 

You deserve to understand yourself fully – without shame, without dismissal, and with the knowledge that your brain is valuable and wonderful exactly as it is.