Written by: Celest Austin, M.D., Ph.D.
The word neurodiversity refers to the concept that there are different ways people’s brains are wired to process the world. As a result, all sorts of brains – or neurotypes – exist. Even though every person in a society may have a different way of processing information, there are patterns of wiring that are more unique than others and may require individualized types of support.
People whose neurotypes represent the majority of individuals within society are called neurotypical people. People whose neurotypes represent the minority of society are called neurodivergent people. Neurodivergent people may need support in areas that are different from neurotypical people from early childhood and possibly into adulthood.
There are different neurotypes people can be born with or acquire later in life. Amongst the many different neurotypes, these are seven neurotypes that are commonly diagnosed in children (Doyle et. al., 2020).
- ADHD
- Autism
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Tourette Syndrome
Each neurotype can have unique strengths (that might be considered exceptional) but also have learning and sensory differences that may require individualized support.
Understanding how to nurture a neurodivergent child’s strengths to support their learning differences empowers not only the child, but caregivers and educators alike, especially during early childhood when vital brain connections are made.
Common Neurotypes in Children
Understanding the strengths and unique areas of support for each neurotype is crucial when seeking resources for a neurodivergent child. All children have unique ways of learning, but neurodivergent children may not thrive with the learning methods used in traditional school settings. Many neurodivergent children require unique and specialized support. For example, an autistic child may need pictures or visual aids to complete tasks.
Strengths and Areas of Support for Each Neurotype
Each neurotype has unique characteristics and strengths. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the brain! Keep in mind that many individuals may have more than one neurotype. The characteristics listed below are commonly associated with each neurotype but there can be a variety of strengths and areas of support even within each neurotype. In addition, these areas of support could carry over into adulthood. It is always important to stay curious about the unique strengths and needs of each child, no matter the neurotype.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental neurotype that may be characterized by differences in attention, focus, and sensory processing. These differences can lead to challenges in sustaining attention on uninteresting tasks but hyper focusing on more interesting ones (Ashinoff et al., 2021).
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Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference in how the brain processes information, including sensory information. Up to 95% of autistic children have sensory differences (Crane et al., 2009; Kirby et al., 2022), which experts say may explain why they may engage in stimming, socialize differently, and require extra support in early language and communication development (Hamilton et. al., 2018). However, these sensory differences can also be a strength, leading to detail-oriented thinking and memorization skills that may surpass neurotypical children (Mallory et al., 2021).
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Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a neurotype similar to dyslexia but with numbers. As a result, dyscalculic individuals may need support in time management and other number-related tasks. However, dyscalculic individuals may excel in big-picture thinking, verbal reasoning, and creative expressions like art (Magenes et al., 2021; Peters et al., 2020).
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Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental difference that may be characterized by a sensory difference in perception where big-picture thinking may dominate (O’Brien et al., 2021). Many dyslexic individuals find spatial reasoning and auditory tasks easy but need individualized support in decoding words and reading text.
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Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a neurological difference that that is associated with challenges in handwriting. Dysgraphic children may have adept memorization and listening skills but need support with the hand movements needed to form letters on paper (Rocha Cabrero et al., 2022). Dysgraphic individuals may not find reading or spelling challenging but may need support in physically forming letter shapes on paper. As a result, dysgraphic individuals may possess excellent verbal storytelling skills.
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Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is a developmental coordination difference that may cause motor movement and coordination differences. A dyspraxic person often possesses excellent problem-solving and multitasking skills but may find gross motor activities like riding a bike or performing fine motor tasks like buttoning a shirt challenging (Castellucci, et al., 2024).
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Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes unwanted, involuntary muscle movements and sounds known as tics (Johnson et al., 2023). Tourettic individuals may display remarkable creativity and the ability to hyperfocus but may need assistance understanding specific stressors and coping skills related to their tics (Colautti et al., 2021).
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How Different Neurotypes in Children Affect Learning
Every child has a unique way of learning, whether they are neurotypical or neurodivergent. However, neurodivergent children may not find the support they need in traditional learning environments. Therefore, understanding a child’s individual neurotype, learning their strengths, and providing appropriate support can help them thrive. When neurodivergent children’s strengths are nurtured and their needs met with individualized support, they feel understood and seen. This increases their confidence, well-being, and independence – becoming thriving self-advocates.
References
Ashinoff, B. K., & Abu-Akel, A. (2021). Hyperfocus: The forgotten frontier of attention. Psychological Research, 85(1), 1–19.
Castellucci G, Singla R. Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia) [Updated 2024 Feb 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
Colautti, L., Magenes, S., Rago, S., Zanaboni Dina, C., Cancer, A., & Antonietti, A. (2021). Creative thinking in Tourette’s syndrome: An uncharted topic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 649814.
Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2009). Sensory processing in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 13(3), 215-228.
Doyle N. (2020). Neurodiversity at work: a biopsychosocial model and the impact on working adults. British medical bulletin, 135(1), 108–125.
Hamilton, A., & Pelphrey, K. (2018). Sensory and social features of autism – can they be integrated? Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 29, 1–3.
Johnson, K. A., Worbe, Y., Foote, K. D., Butson, C. R., Gunduz, A., & Okun, M. S. (2023). Tourette syndrome: clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment. The Lancet Neurology, 22(2), 147-158.
Kirby, A. V., Bilder, D. A., Wiggins, L. D., Hughes, M. M., Davis, J., Hall-Lande, J. A., Lee, L. C., McMahon, W. M., & Bakian, A. V. (2022). Sensory features in autism: Findings from a large population-based surveillance system. Autism, 15(4), 751–760.
Magenes, S., Antonietti, A., & Cancer, A. (2021). Creative thinking and dyscalculia: Conjectures about a still unexplored link. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 671771.
Mallory, C., & Keehn, B. (2021). Implications of sensory processing and attentional differences associated with autism in academic settings: An integrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 695825.
O’Brien, G., & Yeatman, J. D. (2021). Bridging sensory and language theories of dyslexia: Toward a multifactorial model. Developmental Science, 24(3), e13039.
Peters, L., Op de Beeck, H., & De Smedt, B. (2020). Cognitive correlates of dyslexia, dyscalculia and comorbid dyslexia/dyscalculia: Effects of numerical magnitude processing and phonological processing. Research in Developmental disabilities, 107, 103806.
Rocha Cabrero F, De Jesus O. Dysgraphia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jul.
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