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Neurodivergent is a term used to describe people whose brains function in ways that differ from what is considered typical, often due to ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other learning or developmental differences.

Neurodivergence isn’t a disorder; it’s a way of understanding the natural variations in how the brain works in processing information and relating to others. The concept also emphasizes that different ways of thinking come with unique strengths and challenges, which is why support and acceptance are so important.

What Does Neurodivergent Mean?

Neurodivergence is the term for when someone’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is considered “typical.”

Formerly considered a problem or abnormality, scientists now understand that neurodivergence isn’t inherently an issue for the individual and that it has a large societal benefit. Not all presentations of neurodivergence are a disability, like synesthesia, but all are a difference in how the brain works.

With this shift, practitioners are no longer treating neurodivergence as inherently an illness. They are instead viewing them as different methods of learning and processing information, some of which become disabilities in an inaccessible and ableist society.

What’s the Difference Between Neurodivergent and Neurotypical?

Neurodiversity is the concept that there are a variety of ways that people’s brains process information, function, and present behaviorally. Rather than thinking there is something wrong or problematic when some people don’t operate similarly to others, neurodiversity embraces all differences.

The concept of neurodiversity recognizes that both brain function and behavioral traits are simply indicators of how diverse the human population is.

The term neurodiversity was coined by autistic sociologist Judy Singer in 1997. Neurodiversity can be divided into two categories: neurotypical and neurodivergent people.

• Neurotypical: Neurotypical refers to someone whose brain functions, behaviors, and processing are considered standard or typical. They may have no idea they are neurotypical because the subject has likely never come up for them before. They hit developmental and behavioral milestones at the standard times and ages and generally move through life without having to wonder if their brains function the same as others’.
• Neurodivergent: Neurodivergence is the term for people whose brains function differently in one or more ways than is considered standard or typical. This may manifest in mild ways that most people would never notice, or in more obvious ways that lead a person to behave differently from what is standard in our society.

Types of Neurodivergence

Because the idea of neurodivergence has grown to encompass a range of consistent ways that some brains work differently than others, it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that there are many different ways neurodivergence manifests.

You may not have heard of all the different types, but chances are you are familiar with some. These are the most common examples.

Autism

Autism is known as a “spectrum disorder” because autistic people range in what autistic traits they have, how these traits present, and their support needs. It previously had many subtypes, such as Asperger’s and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), but now they are all classified as an autism spectrum disorder.

The term Asperger’s is also no longer accepted in the autistic community due to its origin from a Nazi scientist for use in the field of eugenics.

Autism is a broad set of conditions that may include challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech difficulties that can lead people to communicate via Alternative Augmentative Communication, writing, typing, or sign language instead of verbally.

According to the Autism Self-Advocacy Network, autistic people generally think, process their senses, move, communicate, and socialize in a consistent range of ways that differ from how allistic (non-autistic) people do.

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an executive function dysregulation disorder, which means individuals may have difficulties managing their thoughts, attention, behaviors, and emotions.

People with ADHD may:

• Have difficulty with organization
• Be restless
• Seem disinterested or zoned out
• Show inappropriate behavior when experiencing strong emotions

Thanks to their out-of-the-box thinking, people with ADHD are often great problem solvers, may be energetic and “fun,” and are often sensitive to others.

Dyslexia

This form of neurodivergence involves speaking, reading, and writing. Dyslexia is typically associated with misreading, writing, or speaking words or letters out of order, but it encompasses more than that.

For example, it may involve confusion with certain letters, difficulty organizing words into sentences, trouble acquiring a vocabulary or pronouncing words, and/or challenges following directions.

People with dyslexia are often “big picture” thinkers who excel at visual processing. In addition, they tend to have strong spatial awareness and may be very creative.

Other Types

Other types of neurodivergence include:

• Tourette’s
• Dyspraxia
• Synesthesia
• Dyscalculia
• Down syndrome
• Epilepsy

Chronic mental health illnesses are also a form of neurodivergence. This includes conditions such as:

• Bipolar disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression

How to Know If You’re Neurodivergent

If you have been diagnosed with any of the above conditions, you would be considered neurodivergent.

• Talk to your doctor: If you have never been formally diagnosed but resonate strongly with the descriptors for one or more types of neurodivergence, you might benefit from seeking a professional to find out for sure.
• Explore the diagnostic criteria: You can learn more about the condition’s descriptions in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR), the tool doctors and mental health professionals use to diagnose mental health conditions.
• Learn from other neurodivergent people: It’s also helpful to explore the lived experiences of people with that presentation of neurodivergence. Self-diagnosis is a valid form of identification, and is often the only accessible diagnostic avenue for many marginalized people.

While neurodivergence is common, many people do not realize they are neurodivergent until they reach adulthood. This can create challenges as people find ways to adapt to the differences in how they think and process information, but it can also be helpful.

For many adults, finding out they have ADHD, autism, or another form of neurodivergence often helps explain things they didn’t understand about themselves previously.

If you have never been diagnosed with any of the above terms and never felt that you had any traits, then chances are you are neurotypical.

Can You Become Neurodivergent?

Many forms of neurodivergence are an innate part of how the brain develops and functions. While these differences may go unrecognized or undiagnosed in childhood, that doesn’t mean they weren’t there; they may have been present from childhood.

Acquired neurological conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease, can also lead to neurodivergence.

How Common Is Being Neurodivergent?

The exact number of people who are neurodivergent is not known, but looking at the prevalence of conditions linked to neurodiversity can indicate how common it may be.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in every 44 eight-year-olds is believed to have autism spectrum disorder, or 2.3% of children in that age group. It is 4.2 times more common in boys than it is in girls, largely due to a patriarchal lack of understanding of how autism presents in minoritized genders.
• The CDC suggests that around 9.4% of all children are diagnosed with ADHD at some point before the age of 18.
• According to the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity, dyslexia affects 20% of the population.

What Is It Like to Be Neurodivergent?

There is no one answer to what it’s like to be neurodivergent. There isn’t even an answer to what it’s like to have any kind of specific neurodivergent diagnosis!

People are individual and unique; in the same way that it doesn’t feel the same for all people to have bodies, it doesn’t feel the same for all people with different neurodivergent diagnoses.

Life is experienced differently by all humans, whether their brains function very similarly to the majority of people or very differently.

Where Does the Term ‘Neurodivergent’ Come From?

Like the umbrella term neurodiversity, the word neurodivergent was also coined by sociologist Judy Singer. While originally used to refer specifically to people who are autistic, usage of the term has broadened significantly in years since.

If you’re interested in learning more about what it’s like to be neurodivergent, there is plenty available on the subject!

Books

• Personal stories in books such as “Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s,” “Thinking in Pictures,” and “Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic” are personal accounts of being neurodivergent.
• Fictional books with neurodivergent main characters include “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine,” “Flowers For Algernon,” and “On the Edge of Gone.”
• Nonfiction books about neurodivergence and the future of neurodiversity include “NeuroTribes,” “Neurodiversity: Discovering the Extraordinary Gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Other Brain Differences,” and “Divergent Mind.”

Podcasts

There are podcasts on the topic for those who prefer to listen to materials. These include The Neurodiversity Podcast, Neurodiverging, and Sensory Matters.

Social Media Accounts

If you’d like to diversify your social media feed with neurodivergent voices and advocates, some top choices to follow are:

The Future Of Neurodivergence

As society shifts its understanding of how the brain operates, the way in which we treat those who are neurodivergent will also change. For example, there is much work that has been done to stop treating autism as an illness that must be cured.

Special education is making progress in this arena as well, with approaches becoming centered around how people with assorted neurodivergent tendencies learn best.

Advocacy for neurodiversity acceptance may have begun with autism and how it is managed, but it has grown to include the many different neurodivergent types. The more we accept, affirm, and understand that it’s quite common for brains to work differently, the more easily we can go about accommodating people in ways that work best for them to learn, function, and thrive in society.

Words of encouragement are often short phrases designed to cheer someone on, in good times and bad. Encouraging them can be a powerful way to show them you care about them and support them.

Sometimes, these words are short and sweet, like “You can do it” or “I believe in you.” Or you might deliver more specific support, like “Things are hard, but I’m here for you” or “You don’t have to do it perfectly to make progress.”

Words of Encouragement for Everyday Moments

• Keep going!
• You’ve got this!
• I believe in you.
• Don’t give up.
• You’re doing great!
• You matter.
• Stay strong.
• Take a deep breath.
• Trust yourself.
• You’re not alone.
• You’re stronger than you think.
• You can handle this.
• Progress is progress.
• One step at a time.
• Keep moving forward.

Words of Encouragement for Tough Times

• It’s OK to take things day by day.
• Hang in there!
• Your feelings are valid.
• You can survive hard things.
• You are doing the best you can.
• This pain won’t last forever.
• You don’t have to have all of the answers right now.
• You deserve support.
• It’s OK to feel overwhelmed.
• You have people who care about you.
• You don’t have to be perfect to keep going.
• Even small steps are progress.
• It’s OK to ask for help.
• Be gentle with yourself.
• You can go at your own pace.

Motivating Words for Reaching Your Goals

• The sky is the limit.
• Do your best, and forget the rest.
• The next chapter in your life is going to be amazing.
• You are capable of incredible things.
• Your hard work is going to pay off.
• You’re made for this.
• Every effort counts, no matter how small.
• Keep your eyes on the prize.
• Turn your challenges into fuel.
• You’ve made it through bigger challenges than this.
• Don’t stop now!
• Keep up the momentum; you’ve made so much progress.
• Just a little further.
• Keep leaning into your strengths.
• You have what it takes to succeed.
• You can create the life you want.

Encouraging Words for Anyone in Your Life

Notice how simple and straightforward many of them are. You don’t have to be a poet or a motivational speaker to have an impact.

For a Coworker

If you’re someone who feels awkward about outward encouragement, know that you’re not alone! But think about the times you have been encouraged or complimented about your work. It felt pretty good, right?

Here are some helpful words of encouragement for a coworker, whether you’re congratulating someone on a job well done or trying to get the best out of your team:

• Great work!
• Your hard work is paying off.
• The passion you bring to your work is inspiring.
• You’re a true team player.
• Thank you for going above and beyond on this project.
• The way you handled that task was impressive.
• Your contributions to the team have been really helpful.
• Your commitment to this project is commendable.
• Your knowledge and expertise in this area have been invaluable.
• Your ideas are refreshing, keep them coming!
• Your work is making a huge impact.
• You have a strong work ethic that I really admire.
• Your can-do approach is really motivating the rest of the team.
• Your positivity and optimism are contagious.
• Your attention to detail is flawless, keep it up!
• Your leadership inspires confidence.
• We’re lucky to have you on board.
• I trust your ability to handle this project.
• I have confidence in your decision-making skills.
• I’m seeing a significant improvement in your performance.
• Thanks for working on the feedback I shared. I can see the difference.
• Your professional and personal growth have been significant.
• Don’t be discouraged by setbacks; you can do this!
• Even though the deal fell through, it was not for lack of your effort.
• Your calm and collected approach was really helpful during the crisis.

For a Friend

These are some words of encouragement for a friend. You know them best, so feel free to improvise based on the situation or the kind of encouragement you know they have responded to in the past.

• Good luck! You’re going to do great.
• Break a leg! Go out there and wow them.
• You killed it! That was amazing.
• Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!
• You had the courage to follow your dreams.
• You stuck to your guns, good for you!
• Shine on!
• One step at a time, you’re almost there!
• Don’t worry, you can do this!
• Keep at it, you’ve got this!
• I have no doubt that you’ll be great at this.
• This is tough, but you’re definitely tougher.
• It sucks that you have to go through this, but I know you can do it.
• Things will get better, hang in there!
• Whatever the universe has in store for you is going to be amazing.
• Trust the process, it’ll work out.
• Good vibes coming your way.
• Sending you big hugs and happy thoughts.
• You’re in my thoughts today.
• I’m here for you no matter what.
• Just pick up the phone if you need me.
• Your friendship is important to me.
• You have a heart of gold.
• You’re such a pure soul.
• You make the world a better place.

For a Partner

A romantic partner is usually one of the most important people in our lives, if not the most important. A big part of maintaining a healthy long-term relationship is letting your partner know you’re there for them, whatever they might be going through. If your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, this kind of verbal reinforcement can be even more critical.

These are some words of encouragement for a partner:

• I believe in you, you’ve got this!
• You’re not alone, we’re in this together.
• I’m with you every step of the way.
• I support you no matter what.
• Together, we can do anything.
• I’m grateful to have you by my side.
• I’m so lucky to have you in my life.
• I know I can always count on you.
• You’ve never let me down.
• You’re my rock, and I appreciate your support.
• Thanks for everything you do for me.
• Thank you for sharing that with me.
• You inspire me to be a better person.
• You make my life better in so many ways.
• Your kindness makes the world a better place.
• Your thoughtfulness never fails to amaze me.
• You have such a big heart.
• You’re beautiful inside and out.
• You brighten up my days.
• You make me so happy.
• You make me look forward to each day.
• You’re so special to me.
• You’re such a good listener.
• You make me feel seen and supported.
• I have so much to learn from you.

For a Child

The great thing about giving encouragement to kids is you don’t have to worry about the kind of sheepish self-conscious reactions you may get from an adult. Children are more earnest, more literal, and won’t have nearly as many complicated feelings about receiving words of encouragement. These are some words of encouragement for a child:

• Good job!
• There you go!
• You’re doing great.
• Keep up the good work.
• You’re such a smart cookie.
• You’re so brave.
• I’m so proud of you.
• You’re awesome, you can do this!
• Good luck today!
• Go for it!
• Be good today.
• Make me proud.
• I know you’ll do the right thing.
• Try, try, try!
• You can do anything if you put your mind to it.
• You can be anything you want to be.
• The sky’s the limit.
• I love you no matter what.
• It didn’t go well, but you learnt something important today.
• Mistakes are part of the learning process. Don’t beat yourself up.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
• Tomorrow will be a better day.
• Hang in there!
• Don’t give up, you can do this.
• Do your best, leave the rest.

Reasons to Give Words of Encouragement

Offering positive support through words of encouragement strengthens emotional bonds and helps nurture relationships, says Kristin Wilson, MA, LPC, CCTP, RYT, Chief Experience Officer at Newport Healthcare.

Research suggests that words of encouragement can really pay off:

• One 2024 study found that verbal encouragement was associated with better strength and endurance outcomes during training in a sports science setting. 
• Another study found that it improved enjoyment and mood and lowered tension.
• Researchers have also found that encouraging words can be helpful in mental health settings.

How to Give Encouragement That Helps

We know that sometimes, the right words can be hard to find. You want to show someone your support, but you feel awkward, don’t want to sound disingenuous, and get stuck on what to say. These are some tips that can help you find the right words to encourage someone:

• Listen actively: Listen actively and pay attention to what the person is saying. Understand their concerns and challenges, so you can provide encouragement that specifically addresses their needs.
• Acknowledge their efforts: Recognize the effort someone is putting into a task or goal, regardless of the outcome. Appreciate how hard they’ve worked on something.
• Show them you see them: Instead of giving generic praise, give a specific compliment based on their abilities, strengths, or potential. Make them feel like you see them.
• Be genuine: Authenticity matters. When you encourage someone or praise their efforts, say something you really mean, instead of saying something for the sake of it.
• Focus on the positive: Instead of dwelling on what’s gone wrong, emphasize the bright side and encourage them to stay positive.
• Offer help: If you can, provide practical assistance. Sometimes, just knowing that you’re there for them can be incredibly reassuring.
• Be patient: If the person reacts negatively to your words of encouragement or rejects them, try to be understanding, says Wilson. “Avoid taking it personally or becoming defensive. Be open to discussing their concerns or reasons for the negative reaction and express your willingness to support them in a way that meets their needs.”