| “Neurodivergent” is a term used to describe brain functionality and how it differs in some people. There are different ways of perceiving, interpreting and interacting with the world, with “neurotypical” being the more common, or expected, way, and “neurodivergent” deviating from what is considered “normal.” Dr. Ashley M. Whitaker, a board certified pediatric neuropsychologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Curry Psychology Group, shared the key differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent. “A child’s brain usually develops along an expected trajectory, give or take a little, setting the stage for them to think and learn foundational academic concepts, social interactions and functional skills,” Whitaker told TODAY Parents. “When this happens, we consider them neurotypical.” In contrast, when aspects of brain functioning develop outside those parameters, a child may be considered neurodivergent. |
