Neurodivergent
Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent.
Applies across the UK
Neurodivergent describes one person: an autistic child Identity-first language Saying autistic child rather than child with autism. Many autistic people prefer it: being autistic is part of who they are. Read the full definition of Identity-first language , a child with ADHD ADHD ADHD is a difference in the way a child's brain works. It affects how they pay attention, how much energy they have, and how easily they act on impulse. Read the full definition of ADHD , dyslexia, dyspraxia or another difference in how their brain works. It is a description, not a diagnosis, and no test decides who counts.
A few nearby words are easy to mix up. Neurotypical means someone whose brain works the way most people expect. Neurodiversity describes all of us together: the natural range of different minds in any group of people. So one person is neurodivergent, and a group of people is neurodiverse.
You can use this word before any diagnosis exists. Saying your child may be neurodivergent simply says you have noticed differences that matter, and that is a good enough reason to ask questions.
Other words for this
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You might hear neurodiverse (describing one person)
You may see a single person described as neurodiverse. Government style guidance asks writers to say neurodivergent for a person and keep neurodiverse for groups, because one person cannot be a range. Nobody will misunderstand you if you mix them up, but this is the difference.
Where this comes from
- Inclusive language: words to use and avoid when writing about disability , GOV.UK. Checked 2026-08-14.
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