neurodivergence
|neu-ro-di-ver-gence|
🇺🇸
/ˌnʊroʊdaɪˈvɝdʒəns/
🇬🇧
/ˌnjʊərəʊdaɪˈvɜːdʒəns/
brain differs from typical
Etymology
'neurodivergence' originates from English, formed by combining the Greek root 'neuron' (Greek 'neûron') where 'neuron' meant 'nerve' and the English word 'divergence' ultimately from Latin 'divergere' where 'divergere' meant 'to turn aside'.
'neurodivergence' developed as a compound in the late 20th century from the related activism term 'neurodiversity' and the adjective 'neurodivergent', and entered common use in clinical and social contexts as the noun 'neurodivergence'.
Initially used within disability and neurodiversity movements to describe differences in neurological development without negative judgment, it has since been adopted both clinically and sociopolitically to refer to specific neurological conditions and identities.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition or state in which an individual's neurological development and functioning diverge from what is considered typical; often used to refer to diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental differences.
After the assessment, the family learned that the child’s struggles were related to neurodivergence and sought appropriate supports.
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Noun 2
a socio-political concept recognizing neurological differences as natural variations of human neurology rather than solely as disorders, emphasizing acceptance, accommodation, and the value of diverse cognitive styles.
Advocates argue that workplaces should adapt to neurodivergence by offering flexible communication and task structures.
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Last updated: 2025/10/10 08:57