Clarifying Neurodiverse vs Neurodivergent: A Journey Towards Understanding

At Collectively Diverse, we’re all about creating space for learning, growth, and meaningful conversations. Sometimes, that growth starts with our own moments of confusion. Recently, Liz, our founder, shared her honest reflections about struggling to understand the difference between neurodiverse and neurodivergent.

For years, Liz noticed these terms being used interchangeably in the media, academic papers, and even professional discussions, which led to her uncertainty about their correct usage. While it wasn’t always clear, she knew this distinction was important, especially as Collectively Diverse strives to champion inclusivity and understanding in all forms.

That’s when a trusted friend and fellow education professional stepped in to help. Andrea Leigh, a specialist advisory teacher for speech, language, communication, and autism, reached out in a wonderfully supportive and non-judgmental way. Andrea took the time to explain the distinction with clarity and care, helping Liz—and by extension, everyone at Collectively Diverse—gain a much better understanding.

Andrea explained:

“It’s confused a lot, which means when you get it right, it’s noticed. When referring to individuals, neurodiverse doesn’t make sense—one person can’t be diverse, in the same way as when thinking about biodiversity, one tree isn’t diverse. Neurodiverse includes everybody, including neurotypicals (the majority). If you are in a room and everyone is autistic, then there isn’t any neurodiversity in the room—but everybody individually is neurodivergent from what is considered the norm. Neurodiversity is about differences BETWEEN people, but neurodivergent is more about the individual. That’s how I understand it, but it takes practice, and it isn’t consistently used in the media (yet).”

For Liz, this was an “aha” moment. The distinction suddenly clicked: neurodiversity refers to a group-level concept that includes everyone—neurotypical and neurodivergent alike—while neurodivergent describes individuals whose neurological traits diverge from the norm.

Inspired by this conversation, Liz led a review of the language used on the Collectively Diverse website. We went through our content, corrected any instances where the terms were misused, and felt a sense of pride in the small but meaningful improvements we made. It was a powerful reminder of how important it is to revisit the words we use, no matter how familiar they might seem.

What stood out most in this experience was Andrea’s kindness and non-judgmental approach. Learning often involves admitting what we don’t know, and Andrea created a space where Liz felt supported rather than criticised. It’s a reminder that these conversations are most impactful when they are rooted in care and a shared commitment to understanding.

We wanted to share this journey not just to celebrate the insight Andrea provided, but to remind everyone that it’s okay to have questions and to admit when you’re unsure. Language evolves, and so does our understanding of it. The important thing is being open to learning—and to helping others do the same.

Have you ever struggled with understanding terms like neurodiverse and neurodivergent? How do you approach these kinds of discussions? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share them in the comments or connect with us on social media.

Together, let’s continue to grow, learn, and embrace our collective diversity.

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