18/03/2026
🧠 Neurodiversity & Neurodivergence: what do these words actually mean?
You’ve probably heard these terms more and more lately. But many people are still unsure what they actually mean.
Neurodiversity is the idea that human brains are naturally different.
Just as biodiversity describes the variety of plants and animals, neurodiversity describes the variety of ways people think, learn, feel and process the world.
It isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a concept that recognises that there is no single “normal” way for a brain to work. Because of that, everyone is part of neurodiversity.
Neurodivergent is a word used to describe people whose brains work differently from what society considers “typical”.
This can include people with:
🧠 Autism
🧠 ADHD
🧠 Dyslexia
🧠 Dyspraxia
🧠 Tourette’s
🧠 Intellectual disability
🧠 and other neurological differences
For many people, neurodivergent is a strengths-based, identity-first term they choose to use about themselves.
✨ Using the words well:
✔ “Neurodivergent people may experience the workplace differently.”
✔ “Our service supports neurodivergent young adults.”
✔ “Neurodiversity makes communities stronger.”
🚫 Not quite right: “He has neurodiversity.” (Neurodiversity describes a group of different brains, not an individual person.)
Understanding these terms helps us build communities that are more inclusive, supportive and informed.
Because different ways of thinking and experiencing the world are part of what makes our communities stronger.
At Flying Kites, we see every day that different brains bring different strengths — creativity, deep focus, empathy, innovation, honesty, pattern-spotting, big-picture thinking.
When we design services that work for neurodivergent people, we create better systems for everyone.
At Flying Kites we are happy to use the language that you like when talking about you or the support you want.
