What Are Neurotypes? A Neuroinclusive Glossary
A neurotype is a general category of how a brain works, such as neurotypical, ADHD or autistic. A plain-language glossary of neurotypes and related terms.
A neurotype is a general category of how a person's brain works: how they take in information, think, learn and communicate. Neurotypical, ADHD, autistic and dyslexic are examples. Neurotypes are not boxes. People with the same neurotype can be very different, and many people have more than one. This glossary explains neurotypes and the other terms you will meet in neuroinclusive conversations.
What is a neurotype?
"Neuro" refers to the brain and nervous system. "Type" means a kind or category. A neurotype is a way of describing a broad pattern in how a brain works.
The word is useful because it lets people talk about differences without ranking them. Saying "we have different neurotypes" is like saying "we have different communication styles." It describes, rather than judges.
Two important points:
- A neurotype is not a full description of a person. Two autistic people, or two people with ADHD, can have completely different experiences, strengths and challenges.
- People can have more than one. For example, someone can be both autistic and ADHD, or ADHD and dyslexic. People often describe this as being multiply neurodivergent.
What are the main neurotypes?
There is no official list of neurotypes. These are the ones most commonly discussed. The descriptions are short and general on purpose: everyone's experience is their own.
Neurotypical
A neurotypical person is someone whose brain works in the ways most people treat as typical. Cleveland Clinic notes that there is no single standard of "normal" brain function. Neurotypical people have their own communication habits too, such as relying on hints, small talk and unwritten rules.
ADHD
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects attention, activity levels and impulse control. It looks different in different people. Many people with ADHD describe a different relationship with time, focus and motivation, but experiences vary widely. See the National Institute of Mental Health for a medical overview.
Autistic
Autism is a lifelong difference in how people communicate, interact and experience the world, including sensory experiences. Autistic people are as varied as any other group. Many prefer identity-first language ("autistic person"), though not all do. See the National Institute of Mental Health for a medical overview.
Dyslexic
Dyslexia is a difference in how people process written language, which can affect reading, spelling and writing. It is not related to intelligence. The British Dyslexia Association has more information.
Dyspraxic
Dyspraxia, also called developmental coordination disorder (DCD), affects movement and coordination. It can also affect planning and organization. See the NHS page on dyspraxia in adults.
Dyscalculic
Dyscalculia is a difference in how people understand and work with numbers.
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurological condition that causes tics: sounds or movements that a person does not choose to make.
What do common neurodiversity terms mean?
Neurodiversity
The natural variety of human brains. Everyone is part of neurodiversity, including neurotypical people. A group or a society is neurodiverse.
Neurodivergent
Describes a person whose brain works differently from what is considered typical. Neurodivergence is an umbrella term for natural differences in how people learn, communicate and experience the world. Read more in What does neurodivergent mean?
Neurodiverse
Describes a group that includes different kinds of minds, such as a neurodiverse team. A single person is neurodivergent or neurotypical, not neurodiverse.
Neuroinclusion and neuroinclusive
Neuroinclusion means designing workplaces, schools, products and communication so they work for people of every neurotype. Something is neuroinclusive when it does that. Neuroinclusive communication treats understanding as a shared effort: both people adjust a little, instead of one person doing all the work.
Neurodiversity paradigm
The view that differences in how brains work are a natural part of human variety, rather than something that always needs to be fixed. It does not deny that people can face real challenges. It changes where we look for solutions, often toward the environment as well as the person.
Double empathy problem
The idea that when two people experience the world very differently, misunderstandings between them run both ways. It was described by autistic researcher Damian Milton. Read more in The double empathy problem.
Masking
Hiding or toning down natural traits to fit in, for example copying other people's body language, holding back movements, or rehearsing small talk. Many neurodivergent people describe masking as tiring. Workplaces that accept different communication styles reduce the need for it.
Stimming
Short for self-stimulatory behavior: repeated movements or sounds, such as tapping, rocking or fidgeting. Many people stim to focus, calm down or express emotion. Plenty of neurotypical people do something similar, such as tapping a pen or bouncing a knee.
Executive function
The mental skills used to plan, organize, start tasks, manage time and switch between activities. People vary a lot in how these skills work for them, and executive function is often discussed in relation to ADHD.
Sensory processing
How the brain takes in and responds to information from the senses, such as sound, light, touch and smell. Some people are more sensitive to certain input, and some less. A noisy office can be fine for one person and exhausting for another.
Spiky profile
A term some people use to describe having strong abilities in some areas and more difficulty in others, with bigger differences between the two than people often expect. It is a reminder not to judge someone's overall ability from one task.
Identity-first and person-first language
Identity-first language puts the identity first: "an autistic person." Person-first language puts the person first: "a person with ADHD." Different people prefer different styles. The respectful approach is to use the words the person uses.
Accommodation
A change that helps someone do their job or study on equal terms, for example written instructions, flexible hours or a quieter workspace. Many accommodations are simple and help other people too.
Why do neurotypes matter for communication?
Different neurotypes often come with different communication styles. Some people read words literally, others read between the lines. Some prefer short, direct messages, others want more context. Some think best out loud, others in writing.
None of these styles is wrong. Problems start when two people assume the other communicates the way they do. That is why the same message can land very differently with two readers.
Try it: one message, two readings
The message as written:
"Let's touch base about the project sometime this week."
How it could be misread:
One reader may wait to be sent a meeting invite. Another may think they are expected to arrange it. A third may worry "touch base" means something has gone wrong.
A version that works for both people:
"Could we have a 15-minute call about the project budget this week? I'm free Tuesday or Wednesday after 2pm. Nothing is wrong, I just want to check the numbers before Friday."
How to use these words well
- Follow each person's lead. If someone describes themselves as "an ADHDer" or "a person with dyslexia," use their words.
- Do not guess someone's neurotype. You do not need to know anyone's diagnosis to communicate well with them.
- Avoid "suffers from." "Has ADHD" or "is autistic" is clear and neutral.
- Do not generalize. Say "many autistic people" rather than "autistic people always."
- Ask about preferences. "How do you like to get information?" is useful with every colleague.
Further reading
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
What are neurotypes?
Neurotypes are general categories of how a brain works, such as neurotypical, ADHD, autistic or dyslexic. They describe broad patterns in how people take in information, think and communicate.
How many neurotypes are there?
There is no official number. Neurotype is a descriptive word, not a medical category, so different people group them in different ways.
Can a person have more than one neurotype?
Yes. Many people are, for example, both autistic and ADHD, or ADHD and dyslexic. People often describe this as being multiply neurodivergent.
Is neurotypical a neurotype?
Yes. Neurotypical describes the neurotype most people treat as typical. It is one neurotype among many, not the standard the others are measured against.
What is the difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergent?
Neurodiverse describes a group with different kinds of minds. Neurodivergent describes one person whose brain works differently from what is considered typical.
BRYGE AI helps with communication. It does not diagnose or treat any condition.