List of Neurodivergent Disorders: Understanding the Many Types of Neurodiversity

What Is a Neurodivergent Disorder?

So, what is a neurodivergent disorder? It’s simply a brain-based difference in the way someone behaves, learns and processes information.

Neurodivergence isn’t a formal medical term, but it’s a helpful framework for understanding the natural differences in brain development and function.

Some traits are just a little different from neurotypical standards, while others are signs of a mental or neurological condition. Learning about neurodivergent conditions makes it easier to distinguish simple differences from diagnosable mental health conditions.

Types of Neurodivergence Explained

Several types of neurodivergence exist naturally. Remember, these differences are simply variations in how a person adapts to the world around them — they’re not deficits.

The most common types of neurodiversity include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Tourette’s syndrome, dyspraxia and dyslexia.

Comprehensive List of Neurodivergent Disorders

Here’s a more comprehensive list of neurodivergent disorders to help you better understand these natural variations in brain functioning and development.

• Autism spectrum disorder. ASD is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects behavior, learning and communication. For example, someone with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulty communicating with others or engage in repetitive behaviors.
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD, sometimes called attention deficit disorder, is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or both.
• Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that makes it more difficult to read and process written language. It’s common for people with dyslexia to read slowly, transpose letters in words or have trouble understanding what they’ve read.
• Dyscalculia. Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that makes it difficult to understand numbers and mathematical operations. In children, dyscalculia may make it difficult to do simple calculations, organize numbers or memorize math facts (e.g., multiplication tables).
• Dysgraphia. Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that makes it difficult for someone to do age-appropriate writing, even if they’ve had plenty of instruction. Poor handwriting is one of the most common symptoms.
• Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia, also known as developmental coordination disorder, affects a person’s coordination and motor skills. In children, dyspraxia sometimes causes clumsiness, lack of balance, difficulty tying shoelaces and other related symptoms.
• Tourette’s syndrome. Tourette’s syndrome causes an individual to experience sudden tics, which are rapid, involuntary sounds or movements. Simple tics include eye blinking, head jerking, coughing, grunting and nose twitching. Complex tics include obscene gesturing, stepping in specific patterns, hopping and repeating other people’s words and phrases.
• Sensory processing disorder (SPD). Sensory processing disorder is a difference in brain functioning that changes the way a person perceives smells, sounds and other sensory inputs. Some people crave sensory stimulation, while others overreact or underreact to certain stimuli.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Experts debate whether obsessive-compulsive disorder belongs under the neurodivergent umbrella, but since it’s a difference in the way some people think and behave, we’ve included it in our list of neurodivergent conditions. The hallmark of OCD is a pattern of unwanted fears or thoughts (obsessions). Obsessive thoughts cause significant anxiety, making it more difficult to relate to others.

Neurodivergent Examples in Daily Life

Reviewing a few neurodivergent examples can help you understand how these conditions affect an individual’s everyday life. It’s also important to recognize how neurodivergence enhances the human experience.

• Dyslexia. A child with dyslexia is likely to struggle with reading, but their symptoms have no impact on their ability to excel in visual-spatial tasks. In other words, people with dyslexia may be able to recognize patterns better than other people, allowing them to solve puzzles quickly.
• Sensory sensitivities. An adult who startles easily when exposed to noise might have to use headphones to block out excessive sound while working, reading or doing other activities. However, the lack of sound may allow them to focus enough to engage in innovative thinking.
• ADHD hyperfocus. Some people with ADHD develop an ability to hyperfocus on a single activity for long periods of time. For example, a scientist with ADHD may develop a solution to a significant problem after hyperfocusing on the problem for several months.

Neurodivergent Conditions vs. Diagnosable Disorders

Not all neurodivergent conditions are diagnosable disorders, as the term “neurodivergence” is a social term, not a medical one. Since neurodivergence exists outside traditional diagnostic frameworks, it’s not a diagnosable condition on its own.

In some cases, neurodivergence is just a social label used to explain the differences between one person and another. However, some symptoms of neurodivergent conditions appear as diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM-5).

Medical professionals use the DSM-5 to diagnose mental health conditions that can affect brain functioning, behavior, learning and communication.

Why Understanding the Types of Neurodiversity Matters

Understanding the types of neurodiversity is important because it ensures every child, regardless of age or ability, receives an appropriate education. For adults, understanding neurodivergence is critical for offering workplace accommodations and appropriate mental health services.

At our Arizona treatment center, we offer customized, client-centered care, ensuring you’re always treated with compassion and respect.

If you or a loved one is navigating a neurodivergent condition, our compassionate team is here to help.

Embracing Neurodivergence With Confidence and Care

Remember: Neurodivergence is simply part of the human spectrum. If you need professional support to unlock your potential, Camelback Recovery can help you feel empowered instead of labeled.

We’re a trusted, affirming provider of inpatient and outpatient mental health services, so we see neurodivergence as an asset, not a deficit.

Connect with our team today to learn how we can support your journey toward understanding and wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is neurodivergence a mental illness?
A: No, neurodivergence refers to natural differences in how people think, learn and process the world. While some neurodivergent conditions may coexist with mental illness, neurodivergence itself is not a disorder or disease.

Q2: Can someone be both neurodivergent and neurotypical?
A: Neurodivergence and neurotypicality are not interchangeable. A person may show some neurodivergent traits without meeting the criteria for a diagnosis, but typically a person identifies with one framework or the other.

Q3: How do I know if I’m neurodivergent?
A: Start by learning about common neurodivergent traits and speaking with a licensed mental health professional for screening and evaluation.

Q4: What’s the difference between neurodivergent and neurodiverse?
A: Neurodivergent refers to an individual, while neurodiverse describes a group with mixed neurotypes (e.g., both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals).

Q5: Does Camelback Recovery treat neurodivergent individuals?
A: Yes. We provide trauma-informed, personalized treatment options for individuals with ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorder and co-occurring conditions that may be part of a neurodivergent profile.