Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in how human brains think, feel, process, and relate. Just as biodiversity describes variation within ecosystems, neurodiversity describes variation across human minds.

Neurodiversity does not describe an individual person. A single brain is not neurodiverse. A group of brains is. Individuals may be neurodivergent, meaning their neurological development or functioning diverges from dominant social norms, but everyone is part of neurodiversity.

This distinction matters. Diversity refers to variation within a population. Divergence refers to differing from an expected or dominant path. Neurodiversity names the broader landscape, while neurodivergence describes a position within it.

The concept of neurodiversity encourages a shift away from deficit-based thinking and toward understanding neurological differences as part of natural human variation. It emphasizes inclusion and equity by focusing on the fit between people and their environments, recognizing that challenges often arise from mismatches rather than from individuals themselves.