Who and what is included when we talk about neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is an everyone concept. Human brains are as unique as fingerprints. Some are described as “neurotypical,” while others are described as “neurodivergent.” Together, we make up the whole spectrum of neurodiversity.
So, which conditions are considered neurodivergent? We will give you a quick version and the full explanation below:
Short Answer: What is considered a neurodiversity?
Whilst none of the conditions are listed in the DSM or ICD under the word neurodiversity, these are the ones you can safely sit within the list of those most often considered neurodivergent:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Tourette’s and tic disorders
- Communication disorders (such as stammering or language processing disorders)
And these are the ones less frequently included, but increasingly recognised by many in the neurodivergent community:
- Sensory processing differences
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Epilepsy
- Mental health overlaps such as anxiety and OCD
Read on if you’d like the full explanation with history, diagnostic references, and context.
🦉If you’re wondering whether you or your child might fall into one of these categories, we can help. At ADHD Wise UK we offer non-clinical screenings, coaching, and training designed to bring clarity and confidence. Find out more here →
Long Answer: What is considered a neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is not a diagnosis
Neurodiversity does not appear in any diagnostic manual. Neither the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) nor the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases) use the term.
In the UK, professionals follow the NICE guidelines, which draw on both manuals. These set out how conditions such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia are assessed and supported in practice. But again, the term neurodiversity doesn’t appear.
So why the gap? Because neurodiversity is not a clinical label. It’s a concept. It describes the reality that brains vary naturally. Some of those variations are given diagnostic names, while others are just part of the broad diversity of human minds.
What the DSM and ICD do include
Instead of “neurodiversity,” the manuals group conditions under headings like neurodevelopmental disorders, which cover:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (dyspraxia)
- Specific Learning Disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia
- Communication Disorders such as stammering or language processing difficulties
- Tic Disorders, including Tourette Syndrome
Beyond this, there are conditions that overlap with neurodivergence but are not always included, such as epilepsy, PDA, and sensory processing differences.
Why isn’t neurodiversity listed?
Because it’s a framework, not a diagnosis. Neurodiversity asks us to see difference rather than deficit. The manuals provide labels to guide medical pathways; the neurodiversity movement provides a wider lens to understand identity, experience, and strength.
When were the manuals last updated?
- DSM-5: Published in 2013, with a text revision (DSM-5-TR) in 2022.
- ICD-11: Endorsed by the World Health Organization in 2019, effective globally from January 2022.
These manuals will continue to be reviewed, but they are always a step behind lived reality.
When did the word neurodiversity appear?
The word neurodiversity is most often linked to Australian sociologist Judy Singer, who used it in her academic work in the late 1990s. Around the same time, journalist Harvey Blume helped bring the idea into wider public awareness through articles in The Atlantic and The New York Times.
But the concept wasn’t born from one person alone. In the UK, Mary Colley founded DANDA (Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association), one of the first organisations to use the language of neurodiversity to connect adults with dyspraxia, ADHD, Asperger’s, and related conditions. Meanwhile, online forums such as InLv (created by Martijn Dekker) gave autistic people a space to discuss identity, community, and difference in ways that shaped the emerging movement.
Later, activist Kassiane Asasumasu introduced the terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence, which are now widely used alongside neurodiversity.
So while Singer helped formalise the word in academia, it’s more accurate to say the concept of neurodiversity was co-created – by advocates, communities, and academics working in parallel. Only in the last decade has it really become mainstream in schools, workplaces, and healthcare.
This explains why the DSM and ICD don’t “match” what people now mean when they talk about neurodiversity. The concept grew outside of medicine, and only later began to influence practice.
So what does this mean for you?
If you’re exploring whether you (or your child) might be neurodivergent, you don’t need to wait years for a formal assessment to begin understanding.
A non-clinical screening can give you clarity about your strengths and challenges. Coaching can help you find strategies that actually work for your brain. Training can help schools, workplaces, and families create environments where neurodivergent people thrive.
🦉That’s exactly what we do at ADHD Wise UK — helping families, adults, and professionals move from confusion to confidence. Explore our services here →
How to cite this article:
Perryman, J. (2025). FAQ: What is considered a neurodiversity? ADHD Wise UK. https://adhdwise.uk/blog/faq-what-is-considered-a-neurodiversity
