Welcome to the ELAC Library's Neurodiversity Guide
This guide was created for students, staff, and faculty interested in neurodiversity.
What is Neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity refers to variation in neurocognitive functioning. It is an umbrella term that encompasses neurocognitive differences such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Tourette’s syndrome, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia as well as ‘normal’ neurocognitive functioning, or neurotypicality. Neurodivergent individuals are those whose brain functions differ from those who are neurologically typical, or neurotypical (NT).
The neurodiversity movement refers to the disability rights movement aimed at full inclusion for all neurodivergent people. This movement is led by autistic self-advocates fighting for autism acceptance.
Jessica M.F. Hughes, PhD., “Increasing Neurodiversity in Disability and Social Justice Advocacy Groups”
Image from neurodiversity.unt.edu/about