neurotypical

adjective

neu·​ro·​typ·​i·​cal ˌnu̇r-ō-ˈti-pi-kəl 

ˌnyu̇r-

: not affected with a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development

neurotypical students

With developmental disorders, there is an added layer of confusion because people often appear neurotypical; they function well in some situations and not in others.

—Sallie Tisdale

compare neurodivergent

neurotypical noun

plural neurotypicals

They spoke about the differences in communication between autistic people and neurotypicals, and how that can impact lives.

—Katie Farthing

Examples of neurotypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, these studies focus on children already diagnosed with autism, comparing them to their siblings and unrelated neurotypical children. —Angelica P. Ahrens, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2024

They are given the same opportunities to contribute, lead, and innovate as neurotypical employees. —Ludmila Praslova, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

There’s a lot of people who operate very independently who want to date neurodiverse people, or neurotypical people, who have as many wants and needs as diverse as the spectrum itself. —Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 19 June 2024

The research involved 1,600 individuals across organizations and sectors, and drew on perspectives from 1,436 neurodivergent workers, 132 employer representatives and 123 neurotypical people. —Josie Cox, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + typical

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neurotypical

adjective

neu·​ro·​typ·​i·​cal ˌn(y)u̇r-(ˌ)ȯ-ˈti-pi-kəl 

: not affected with a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development

Routine disruption appeared to be among the biggest stressors of the children with autism, compared to neurotypical peers. It is possible that this stress led to other challenges during the pandemic. … While the greatest stressor in the neurotypical group was isolation from friends, it was much less of a stressor for children with autism.

—Helen M. Genova et al., Frontiers in Education

compare neurodivergent

neurotypical noun

Individuals with autism may have different emotional responses than neurotypicals to the same situations, making it harder for neurotypicals to identify the antecedent of various reactions among individuals with autism.

—Sarah Hansen, Hussman Institute for Autism